Carnevale and Subterfuge by Selena Illyria

let him know that you’re awake and better. He asked that he be kept apprised of your condition.”
    Heat flushed Ana’s face as a memory surfaced. “Oh Goddess, I threw up on him. I threw up on a politician.”
    Ana wished the world would open up and swallow her whole. She reached out and grabbed Doctor Titheniel’s hand. “Please, don’t. I’ve humiliated myself enough in front of him.” Ana wanted to hide in her rooms and not come out until they’d left Veritas 10.
    “He asked that he be informed of your progress, but I guess I can forget to tell him about your being discharged. After all, I’ll be so busy with the flu vaccinations that the captain authorized. You’ll be one of the first to get them.”
    Ana wasn’t sure she was too pleased with this new development. She shifted and pulled up the covers. “You know, I’m not feeling too well right now.”
    Doctor Titheniel waved her hand. “Nonsense. Your stomach is stable and your vitals are much better. A few shots will be fine. Now, take off the blanket and give me your arm. We’ll need a double round for the Plutonian flu. Last time that bug hit the ship it spread like wildfire. Come on. The sooner you get the shots, the sooner it will be over. Give me the blanket.”
    There was a short tug of war, which Ana lost. The covering was pulled away and her sleeve tugged up.
    “You’ll be fine. It will only hurt for a minute.”
    Ana cried out as the first needle pierced skin. One after another, she took her shots until she couldn’t feel her arm. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks.
    “Bitch.” Ana muttered.
    Doctor Titheniel grinned. “Pin cushion. Here have some Tarraian chocolate, helps with the pain. They’re filled with liquor too. Go on, take some.”
    Ana reached out and took a thin, circular piece of candy. Bitter sweetness burst in her mouth, chased by the warmth of the alcohol. She moaned aloud and reached for another one, but the doctor moved the box away.
    Doctor Titheniel leaned a hip against the bed. “You owe me dirty, filthy details, woman. I want to know it all—every lascivious thing you did on Il Doge.”
    Ana frowned up at her friend, unsure what to say. “Dr. Titheniel.” She began.
    “Don’t, Dr. Titheniel, me. You did do something, didn’t you?” She flipped her long dark hair over her shoulder, settled on the bed and leaned forward. “What did you do? Oooh, this is so exciting! I wish my love life was this fantastic. The only thrill I get nowadays are when Dorian and Lex fall into bed with me. I haven’t had sex in universe knows how long.” She reached out and gripped Anarrae’s arm. “I need details. Need them.”
    Ana laughed. “How about dinner at my quarters, a girls’ movie night?”
    “Bless you! May the heavens open up and rain dildos upon us. Not hurting you, of course. Ugh, gotta get back to work. Here.” She shoved the box of chocolates at Ana and slid off the bed. “I keep telling the captain the earlier we start doing the flu shots, the better things will be. I hope this is a new rule from now on because I’m not going to go through that snarlbit stomach virus again.”
    Ana had just shoved another chocolate into her mouth when she swallowed and started choking. Her eyes watered as she watched the ambassador, accompanied by the captain and head of security, enter the med deck.
    Dr. Titheniel rushed back over and began patting her on the back, hard. “Ana, breathe honey, breathe.”
    Anarrae watched in horror as the chocolate flew out and landed right on the ambassador’s jacket, just as he’d come to stand at the end of her bed. The smile on his face contorted to one of shock.
    “Oh, universe, kill me now.” Ana snuggled under the sheets and pulled the covers over her head.
    “Oh my God, the ambassador!” Several women exclaimed. Ana peeked out to see a swarm of nurses, all armed with towels, rushing at him.
    The ambassador just brushed the chocolate off and smiled at Ana. Her belly did a