The Captain I Married by Chance novel Chapter 476

Before Julia could finish her sentence, a knock echoed on the lab door.

She swallowed her words, called out, "I'll get it," and hurried over.

Nora ignored the interruption, continuing to discuss the bone pathology with the other examiners.

"Captain Peyton."

Julia's voice carried across the room, making Nora pause and look up.

Nathan stood in the doorway. He looked utterly drained, shadows lingering under his eyes, yet his gaze remained sharp and focused.

He caught Nora's eye immediately and stepped inside.

"How's it looking?"

Nora replied, "Reconstruction is complete."

Nathan surveyed the neatly arranged skeletons. "Can we confirm their identities?"

Nora nodded. "We've already extracted DNA from the marrow. We just need to wait for the Forensics Lab to run the analysis."

"Good."

Nathan looked at Nora. She looked exhausted, but there was a resilient spark in her eyes. He offered a small smile. "It's getting late. Why don't you guys grab some food first?"

"We'll reconvene after dinner."

Julia's face lit up. "Wait, we can go eat?"

"My stomach has been growling for hours, but I was too scared to interrupt Dr. Hayes!"

Nora glanced at the clock and realized it was already dinner time.

She had worked straight through breakfast and lunch.

"Let's go, then."

"Julia, run those samples up to the Forensics Lab first."

Julia flashed an 'OK' sign and dashed out to get it done.

Nora scrubbed her hands thoroughly, disinfected, and changed out of her scrubs.

When she stepped into the hallway, she found Nathan leaning heavily against the doorframe, his head tipped back, eyes closed. He looked like he had passed out standing up.

Nathan was running point, and Nora was worried he was going to collapse.

"I haven't eaten either, you know."

Nathan looked at her with exaggerated betrayal. "Are you really going to deny me a hot meal?"

"That's so bossy."

Nora hadn't realized he was running on empty too.

Torn between annoyance and amusement, and knowing he was dead on his feet, she let it slide. She pressed her lips together. "Fine. Let's go. If we eat fast, you can squeeze in some sleep."

"Deal."

"But you have to support me."

He said "support," but what he actually did was pull Nora flush against his side, resting his heavy head directly on her shoulder.

"Can you behave?"

What if someone saw them like this?