“I’m not leaving without Joy.”

Tim’s features reddened and his voice lowered as he glanced around to make sure they couldn’t be overheard. “Your orders are to immediately return to Homeland.”

Moon growled and took a step back. He’d fight anyone who attempted to prevent him from returning to her room, if they dared. “Not without Joy.”

Trey stepped up next to Tim. “We don’t want to leave Dr. Yards here. The reporters will be all over her if we do. They’ll try to sneak past security and you know they are way more lax about that stuff than we are. Hell, all they have to do is put on a pair of jeans with a T-shirt, stop at the gift shop to grab flowers and a teddy bear, and they could walk right into her room before anyone is aware.”

“She’s not my problem. He is.” Tim pointed at Moon.

Trey sighed. “Think, Tim. I know we’re all grouchy after being pulled out of bed to fly here. She’s important enough to Moon that he left Homeland to come all this way to see her. She’s also hurt. How do you think he’s going to react when he sees her on the news tomorrow, lying in a hospital bed with a camera shoved in her face? Do you really believe he won’t find another way off Homeland to get to her?”

“Fuck.” Tim gave in. “Fine. Grab her and let’s go. I mean that—grab her now. I’m not sticking around for them to do paperwork to release her into our care. We’re off the ground in four minutes. No excuses.”

Moon spun around and rushed down the hallway. Heavy footsteps followed him into Joy’s room. He eyed the stuff hooked to her and began jerking off the clip on her finger that tracked her oxygen level and the wires from her chest that monitored her heart rate. The machines protested loudly. Trey was there to push buttons to silence them.

“I have some experience at this,” he explained when Moon glanced at him.

“What are you doing?” John didn’t attempt to stop them.

Moon paused to study the human. “We’re leaving. She’s coming with me. She’ll be safer at Homeland.”

The officer turned and grabbed a bag of fluid that was hooked to Joy’s arm. “Don’t pull out her IV. Take this. Keep it elevated.”

“Thank you for everything, John. I deeply appreciate it.”

“No problem. I was glad to finally get to meet a New Species.”

Joy lifted her arms when Moon shoved down one side of the bedrail so he could scoop her up. It warmed his heart that she didn’t argue. The bedding came with her since he didn’t want her to be cold. Her good arm wrapped behind his neck and she cradled the injured one against her stomach.

“I wish I’d been able to get clothes,” she mumbled. “Now I’ve lost my only good outfit because I bled all over it and my car is at my condo. I don’t even have my purse or keys.”

Trey accepted the bag of saline from John. “We have a few men at your place already, Dr. Yards. Tell me what you want and I’ll have them grab it before leaving the scene.”

“Why are they there?” Moon frowned, not enjoying the idea of team members trampling through her personal quarters.

“To clean up the mess and make sure they deal with any issues that have arisen. They are answering questions from the police and handling the press.”

“Call me Joy.” She flashed Trey a grin that sent a flurry of jealousy through Moon. “I’d love it if they could get my purse and both suitcases in my room. I have a travel case under the counter in my bathroom too. It’s blue. They can’t miss it.” She turned her head, peering at Moon. “Am I too heavy? I could walk.”

He growled, stalking around the hospital bed with her in his arms. Did she really expect him to put her on her feet after she’d been so hurt? It was irritating and insulting. Trey had to scramble to stay within a close distance since the bag in his hand was hooked to Joy.

“I can’t wait for the drugs to leave your system.”

Her smile faded and she tucked her chin. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m in a bad mood,” he admitted. He hadn’t even gotten the satisfaction of killing the bastard who’d shot her. She was too soft-hearted. “You handle stressful situations in a way that I find difficult to understand.”

“I’m feeling really good.” She looked at his mouth. “I bet I could think of something to do that would cheer you up.” She used the hand resting on the curve of his shoulder to knead the muscles there. “Mr. Grumpy needs to relax and find his sense of humor.”

Trey laughed. “Morphine?”

“I don’t know what they gave her. She’s very happy.”

“Enjoy it,” Trey laughed. “It beats the alternative.”

It was a reminder to Moon that Joy could have died. The two of them were going to have a long talk once the pain medication left her system. She never should have taken a bullet meant for him. He could withstand more damage to his body and heal faster than she could.

Trey glanced over at him as they hurried down the hallway side by side. “I meant she could be bitchy or worse, whining from the pain. I didn’t mean, hell…you know. I saw all the blood at her place. I bet it was scarier than shit before the medics arrived.”

Moon didn’t want to talk about how helpless he’d felt, even if he liked the human. Tim and the team were waiting at the end of the corridor. Tim took point.

“Let’s keep to the stairs and avoid the lobby. No one stops us.” He ordered the team to surround Moon with Trey on his left side. “The pilot is ready to take us to Homeland. We’ll go straight out the back door to the helicopter.”