With gentle hands, Triple lifted Caledonia’s shirt and carefully began to remove the old bandage. She gave a series of displeased hums as she worked that were clearly, if not overtly, directed at her patient. Hime would have chided Caledonia harshly for ruining her stitches and making things worse than they needed to be. She could imagine just how Hime’s delicate features would draw to a point as she addressed Caledonia.

Captain, I do not put stitches in your skin for my enjoyment! Do not make me do it again. I may choose not to! she’d sign, placing precise stitches before her even as her shoulders hunched with irritation.

The thought brought a sad smile to Caledonia’s lips.

“I’m sorry I ripped your stitches,” Caledonia said over her shoulder.

Triple responded with a disapproving “Hmmm.” And then added, “It hurt you more than it did me, but apology accepted. I’ll apply the patch on three. Ready?”

Caledonia almost stopped her to ask what it would feel like, then thought better of it. She nodded. “Ready.”

“One, two, three.”

The patch went on with a cooling vibration, like cold silk humming against her skin. It was such a soothing sensation that Caledonia relaxed. Just as she was beginning to breathe easier, the sensation turned sharp and prodding, as though a hundred needles had stabbed her at once. She cried out.

“I’m here.” Triple’s voice was confident and calming. “It won’t last too long. Here’s my hand. Breathe.”

Caledonia did her best to follow these instructions as the needles pierced her again and again for several long minutes until finally the cooling vibration returned. She drew a deeper breath and opened her eyes.

Triple sat on the cot facing her, Caledonia’s hand still clenched in her own. Her wide eyes were a hazel green, and for the first time, Caledonia saw that one side of her head was shaved nearly down to the skin while the rest of her hair moved in and out of braids that cascaded over one shoulder.

“There. Not too bad, right?”

“Bad enough.” Caledonia’s voice sounded hoarse. She was still weak, but she could already feel the difference in her body. Though far from comfortable, the patch had done its work well, inducing her body to move through the healing process at an accelerated rate.

“In another hour, your ankle will be worse than that stab wound. I don’t have anything for that except continued compression and rest.”

“Thank you,” Caledonia said, voice genuine. “I know how rare nanopatches are. I appreciate you spending one on me.”

“Thank Sledge.” Triple scooted around to check Caledonia’s wound before helping her sit back against the pillow. “He risked a lot to get that patch. I just know how to use it.”