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"Fickle dog," I said

"She orried about you," Devi countered "She tried to pullup in there I had to give her half my sandwich to convince her that I was a hile substitute, and that you wouldn’t enjoy pukingover your shoulder"

"Your sacrifice will not go overlooked," I said

"No, it won’t, and to repayto drink the rest of that Gatorade" Devi s in her expression,her was a worse headache than I already had "I heard you flush twice Now you’re upset and dehydrated, and that isn’t allowed onyou on suspicion of actual illness"

"Yes, Devi," I said ain thirsty enough that the Gatorade didn’t taste of anything but sweetness I finished the bottle without pausing

"Good girl," she said, and offered me Beverly’s leash "Do you think you can tell ain if you try?"

The elevator dinged before I could say anything We turned to see Nathan walking into the lobby, looking alrab your things; I’ you home," he said "Devi, I need you to let everyone know that I’ot to take Sally ho to check in at the ER I think they’re going to need the help"

"Yes, Dr Kiers already starting to fly as she pulled up his calendar and began shooting off e-e in Nathan’s plans for the day

I didn’t move "Do you want some Gatorade?" I asked "Devi made me drink some Then I threw up twice Then I drank so up"

Beverly sainst the floor, as if to e sound, and both of us looked toward the dog She let her tongue loll, seeet your things," Nathan said

"I need to know that you’re safe to drive, or I’ anywhere with you," I replied It was an effort to keepthe rest of the afternoon working in the ER That’s scary I don’t get in cars with people who are being scary It’s part of n"

Nathan stopped, his Ada as he sed back whatever he wanted to answer me with Then he nodded "Okay," he said "I’ll have soet it for you, just letThat’sonto kiss my cheek and hten you," before continuing on to the fridge He returned with a bottle of electric orange Gatorade in his hand

"Fake orange or fake o?" I asked My voice didn’t quaver I was oddly proud of erine," he said "Who erine," said Devi She swiveled in her chair "Your afternoon is clear Should I go down and offer to help in the ER, or is this one of those situations where the research assistant stays far, far away?"

"This is one of those situations where the research assistant takes the rest of the afternoon off with pay, because otherwise, I’ll feel bad about leaving her sitting up here all alone," said Nathan "Go on ho"

Devi’s eyes widened "What happened to you two?" she blurted "I don’t want to pry, but--"

"She always says that just before she pries," commented Nathan

"Hush, I’ up, you show up al, so I think I’et the dog?" Devi paused "Did you steal so? Is that why you’re both so upset? I didn’t think you had it in you"

"We didn’t steal the dog," I protested Then I hesitated, looking at Nathan "Did we steal the dog?"

"No," he said "The dog stole herself We couldn’t have stopped her" He turned his attention on Devi "There’s been another outbreak of sleeping sickness We watched aon the E An ambulance has been dispatched, and once we’ve identified hiht people For the ht people, because we’re the people she has decided are worth trusting"

Speaking of trust… I looked down into Beverly’s big brown eyes and decided, then and there, that no one I didn’t trust was going to take her away from s get to pick their people Beverly had picked me If her owner didn’t recover, and she didn’t pick soether