Waves of Change

by Nulli Para Ora

  “That sounds almost too good to be true. What are the parameters? Am I allowed to pursue my own research, or are they looking for something specific?” I wasn’t expecting this. This could be good. Her scientific curiosity was piqued, and she thought about a few projects she had on the back burner.

  “Everything you need to know is in this file. Take some time to look it over, but don’t take too long. You don’t want this opportunity to slip away.”

  When he handed her the navy blue folder, she opened it and glanced at the cover letter. “Dr. Bergen, have you looked this over?”

  “I haven’t. They wanted you specifically. So I am presenting it to you now.”

  “All right, I’ll get to it this weekend. Can you set aside some time for me on Monday so we can chat about it?” Excitement bubbled up inside her, making her skin tingle in random places, but she tamped it down. Read it first, and then we’ll know what steps to take.

  “Certainly. I’m as interested as you are to see what this entails.”

  Alicia stood and held the file close to her chest. She turned to make her way to the door and was about to take a step when Dr. Bergen spoke again.

  “Oh, Dr. Lewis?”

  “Yes?” She turned to face him and saw his wide grin.

  “Congratulations. Not every researcher is sought out in this way. It speaks well of your accomplishments.”

  Dr. Bergen’s praise brought a smile to her lips, and she stood just a little bit taller. “Thank you, but let’s celebrate after I find out how tight the collar they plan to put around my neck is.”

  After exchanging nods, Dr. Bergen stood and walked her to the door. They shook hands, and she headed for the elevator.

  As soon as she got back to her office, she placed the file in her briefcase. She sat down at her desk and went over her cases and rounds for the day. Her perusal was interrupted by the vibration of her mobile phone in her lab coat pocket. She didn’t look at the screen but simply answered as usual. “Dr. Lewis.”

  “Good morning, beautiful.”

  The sound of Daniel’s voice brought an instant smile to her lips, and she felt a tiny wave of euphoria pass through her as she leaned back in her chair and released a small breath. “Hi, Daniel.”

  “Will you have any time for lunch today?”

  “Hmm… I was just going over my cases when you called. It looks like I have three back-to-back.” She couldn’t help frowning a little as she looked at the schedule, but she also felt the familiar rush of excitement when she thought about how she’d be able to help her patients.

  “Is it normal to have three surgeries in a row like that?”

  “It isn’t supposed to happen, but today they put three procedures together.” When Daniel sighed, Alicia felt compelled to soothe him. “It’s fine, Daniel, really. This isn’t nearly as bad as it was when I was on call once. I had to stay awake for over one hundred hours straight.” She laughed at the memory. Daniel, on the other hand…

  “One hundred hours straight? Why would they make you do that? That’s insanity. Who can function like that?”

  “I’m sorry. I was trying to get you to see this morning isn’t as bad as some of the weeks I’ve had in the past. How about we have dinner tonight? I’ll try to leave earlier so we can eat at a reasonable hour for a change.” During the weeks they had been dating, Alicia’s schedule often proved challenging, but they worked around it.

  “Where do you want to go?”

  “Nowhere actually; you know I’m not really a huge fan of restaurants. I can come to your place and cook, or you can come to my place and I can cook there.” She scribbled notes onto a patient’s chart and made a mental note to add that individual to her rounds.

  “I’ll come to your place, and I’ll cook. You are not going to spend hours on your feet in the operating room just to come home and spend time on your feet cooking.”

  Alicia chuckled as she placed the phone between her shoulder and ear. “It’s what I normally do.”

  “Well, normally was before me. You should be able to relax when you get home from a day like this.” There was a hint of pleading in his voice, and she couldn’t refuse.

  “Very well; my place it is, along with your menu.”

  “Excellent. Call me when you’re leaving so I can meet you there.”

  “Will do. Oh, wait.” Everything was fine until a thought came to mind, reminding her of an important obligation.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Two things. I need to leave time for my run. I have to get at least five miles in. The second thing is, I need a date for the hospital’s Have a Heart Ball. Know anyone who’d be up for it?”

  “Hmm, I don’t know. Let me see if I have any friends who’d want to hang out with a gorgeous heart surgeon.” After a quick laugh, he spoke in a calm voice. “I will absolutely be your date for the ball. Call me when you’re heading back to your car. Are you running by the lake or the park?”

  “The park. Why?”

  “I just need to estimate how far you’ll be from your house so I can judge my commute.”

  “Sounds completely logical. No wonder I like you.” She transferred another file to her rounds pile and smiled as she anticipated the end of her work day.

  “I’ll be sure to wear my Vulcan ears from now on then.”

  Alicia laughed into the phone, and she could hear Daniel laughing as well. “Peace and long life, Daniel.”

  “Live long and prosper, Alicia.” She pictured him making the Vulcan V with his fingers and resisted the urge to do the same.

  “Did you know Vulcan is actually a Roman god? His Greek counterpart is—”

  “Hephaestus, god of fire and smithing. I did know that, and knowing this info is floating around in your head pleases me more than you’ll ever know. I’ll talk to you later, beautiful.”

  “Okay, be safe, Daniel.”

  “Always.”

  “Bye.” When she ended the call, she drew in a deep breath. I have fallen so hard for that man. The weeks spent with Daniel had quickly become the standard for her life, and she found herself thinking of him all the time. Well, the only way to get this day over with is to get it started. After she changed into her scrubs, she left her office to see her patients before surgery.

  * * * *

  “That’s him.” Chris used only his eyes to indicate their target as he walked casually next to Daniel.

  Daniel nodded at the confirmation and moved along like an unassuming pedestrian. They walked down the sidewalk following the man in question. With a nod, Chris sped up and walked ahead of him while Daniel focused on the man’s movements.

  Pretending to trip over something in front of him, Chris stopped abruptly, giving Daniel time to approach the mark from behind and take control of the water in his body. Without words, the Ver-Rist Tokos in question began to walk next to Chris with eyes clouded by fear. Daniel could sense he wanted to cry out, but he wouldn’t allow it. A quick manipulation and his vocal cords were paralyzed.

  The man walked to his car against his will and opened the door. Daniel manipulated his water so he held the door open for Chris and handed him the keys. Daniel and the car’s owner got in the backseat.

  Chris smiled at their new prisoner via the rearview mirror and spoke in a firm voice. “So, this is going to be very simple. I will ask you questions, and you will answer them truthfully. If you try to lie, we will know instantly. I’m sure your king doesn’t value your life at this point, so make it easy on yourself.”

  Daniel allowed him to nod, and he listened in as his captive cursed himself internally for not sensing members of the Pa lel nation. The captured agent realized the two men had power greater than he did, and there wasn’t much he could do about the situation he was in. One of the two men had complete control of his body’s movements, and he was stuck inside his own car at their mercy.

  Daniel searched the man’s memories for information while Chris asked him various questions about the Ver-Rist Tokos nation. Chris
’ questions were meant to lead him in another direction, making it easier for Daniel to probe his mind.

  The man answered Chris while Daniel continued peeling back the layers of memories and orders inside the man, relaying his findings to Chris as he uncovered them. When they found what they needed, they knew exactly how to proceed. They would be able to stop a car bombing in one of their small towns. So they were going to make it look like an accident. Bastards.

  When Chris was satisfied, he gave Daniel the signal. In the space of a breath, Daniel created a blockage of water in the man’s aorta.

  “That was … new…” Chris eyed the reflection of the man’s body in the backseat with raised eyebrows before he turned around in the driver’s seat to look Daniel in the eye.

  “Yeah, well, Alicia talks a lot about her cases. I figured I’d apply some of what I learned.”

  “I like this woman more and more.”

  Despite their workload, Daniel hadn’t forgotten about Alicia’s childhood story. “Any news from the elders about Alicia’s experience?”

  “Not yet. They sent in special operatives to find out as much as they can. We’ll be the first to know when they uncover anything.”

  Daniel wanted to feel relief in Chris’ words, but he couldn’t. A threat to his Dau-Hael was still out there somewhere, and he had no leads.

  “We’ll find out, Daniel. You know I won’t give up on this.”

  “I just don’t want it to come too late.” After removing the cap from a small bottled water in his blazer pocket, Daniel transferred their findings and mission briefing to his king’s advisor. “Let’s get this cleaned up.” He pulled out his cell phone and quickly dialed Alicia’s number. “Hey, beautiful. Have a nice run?”

  “I did, and I am getting in the car now.”

  “I’ll see you there.” She sounded a little winded, and he pictured her with the slight blush she got on cheeks after she went for a run.

  The image lightened his mood, and he smiled into the phone. “Bye, beautiful.” He ended the call and looked at his friend’s reflection in the mirror. “Let’s take this in now, Chris. I don’t want to be late.”

  “Rushing to be rid of me so soon? But … but … you said you loved me. We were supposed to have the white picket fence, the two point three kids, the happy ending.” Chris spoke in a voice an octave higher, and he made his lower lip tremble for effect.

  “Chris…” Even though Daniel found his remarks funny, he wouldn’t let him know it, and he did his best to sound bored.

  “Daniel…” Chris matched his tone and released a light laugh.

  “I can create one of those blockages in your aorta too, ya know…”

  “You still haven’t done the Ber-yh-ahnaal, have you?” Chris turned around and started the car.

  “I fail to see why it is any of your business if I do or don’t.” Daniel shifted the man’s body and buckled his seat belt to make it appear he was sleeping.

  “And you called me grumpy.” Chris laughed as he glanced at him in the mirror again.

  “Let’s just go.”

  “Fine, but I’m taking half.” His altered voice was back, and he sucked his teeth for effect.

  Daniel had to laugh at his remark, and he smacked Chris in the back of the head.

  “Now you’re adding domestic violence? You animal. Wasn’t breaking my heart enough?”

  “Just drive.” Daniel spoke the words between his chuckles.

  Chapter 8

  Alicia rushed into her house after her run and ran up the stairs to take a shower. After bathing, she changed into a T-shirt and shorts before plopping onto the couch. The instant she was comfortable, she read over her cases from earlier in the day while reciting notes from memory into her digital recorder. She was halfway through the first procedure when the doorbell rang.

  When she opened the door, she was greeted by a visitor whose face was hidden by two large brown paper bags. “Daniel? Are you in there?”

  “Yeah, I stopped to pick up a few things just in case you didn’t have what we needed.”

  “Oh, okay. You know I probably have tons of things in the fridge.”

  “Alicia, your refrigerator is large enough to hold eight dead bodies inside it. By the time I found what I was looking for, we’d starve to death.”

  “Eight dead bodies, you say? That was not the analogy I was expecting. I’ll alert the morgue and let them know I have overflow storage.” She stepped aside and allowed him in, watching him as he walked into the kitchen and started unpacking the groceries. “What’s all this?” She looked on with interest as the various ingredients emerged.

  “It’s your cue to march your firm bottom over to the couch and relax. I’ll be in there in a little while to join you.”

  Alicia rolled her eyes and began to literally march into the living room like a soldier.

  “You’re gonna be in trouble later, miss.”

  “Sir, yes sir.” She saluted before she returned to the couch. When she was settled, she resumed recording her notes. She was midway through the second case when Daniel entered. She paused the recorder and watched him sit down, pulling her feet back to give him more room.

  “Oh, don’t stop, beautiful. I’ll wait.”

  She switched the recorder back on and continued to recite her operative notes. While she spoke, Daniel placed her feet into his lap and began massaging them. Her eyes closed immediately, and she relaxed under his touch. His fingers felt like they rubbed away a year’s worth of tension, and she sank farther into the cushions of the sofa in contentment. Pausing the recorder, she opened her eyes and smiled. “That’s really good.”

  Daniel grinned and continued massaging her feet and calves. When she was able to focus again, she recorded the remainder of her notes. As soon as she was finished, she placed the recorder and files in her briefcase.

  “Does everything have to have fifteen syllables? Can’t you just say I cut this guy and fixed his problem?” Daniel’s voice was playful, and he continued to apply pressure to her muscles.

  Alicia chuckled and offered a quick retort. “Well, can’t you just say ‘I used some acid?’ Do you really need to indicate the molarity of every substance? Or the number of ohms? I know we’re all just sitting on the edge of our seats waiting in desperation for you to regale us on the finer parts of molar mass, or why Avogadro’s number is so important. 6.022 x 1023, riveting.”

  “I love it when you talk dirty.” Daniel separated Alicia’s feet and crawled up her body, stopping when they were face-to-face. Slowly he lowered himself and began to place light kisses on her lips.

  She responded by wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him down onto her, inciting a more passionate response. The heat she felt whenever she was with him appeared instantly, and her heart raced. He makes me crazy. Am I really ready for this?

  Daniel pulled back and looked into her eyes, staring at her for long moments before licking his lips and pulling away.

  “What’s wrong?” She searched his face for any hints. He doesn’t look upset. Did I do something wrong?

  “Alicia…” He hesitated, and a knot began to form in her stomach. “Have you ever been with a man before?”

  Heat infused her face, and she felt like she wanted to disappear. “I know I’m not the world’s greatest kisser, but isn’t that a little harsh?”

  Daniel lifted her hand and brought her fingers to his lips. “No, no, beautiful. That’s not what I meant. Your kisses are wonderful. I’m not sure you truly understand the effect you have on me.” Small kisses to her fingertips eased her fears and sent her pulse higher. Every time he touches me… It’s…

  “I just want to know if you’ve ever been with a man before.” She looked away from him, embarrassment returning in full force. As much as she wanted to search the floor, Daniel seemed to have other ideas, and he turned her face back to his. “Beautiful, there is never a reason to be embarrassed with me. Please tell me. I want to know.”

  “No, I haven
’t. I told you about the way I grew up and the stuff with my schooling. Being a teenager in college, no one on campus wanted to date me. I was too young. It was the same thing in medical school, and I was fine with that. I was focused on my studies.

  “When I started working at the hospital, my colleagues were more than a decade older than me, and sometimes it’s more than twice that now. Guys my age never asked me out because I was never anywhere with guys my age.” Watching his face, she asked the inevitable question. “Why did you ask?”

  “When we are together, I get a sense you’re … uncomfortable. You withdraw a bit in that area.”

  “Is it that obvious?” The urge to hide in her coat closet was strong, but she elected to roll her eyes behind her closed lids instead.

  “If you pay attention, yes.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t want you to think—”

  “No apologies, beautiful. I’m fine with it. I’m happy to have any time with you I can. The fact that you’re making room for me in your life at all is … is … incredible, and I feel honored.”

  The feeling of relief was welcome, and she released a slow breath through her lips. “Thanks for saying that. I know I’m not the average woman, but I want to really get to know you. My body isn’t a drive-through. It’s the only one I have, and it’s precious to me, more precious than anything I own. I know the trend nowadays is to have sex first and then get to know the person later, but I’m not like that.

  “Don’t get me wrong. I do find it difficult when I am around you to … refrain. But I’m glad we’re having this conversation, and I’m glad we’re speaking honestly about it. If you ever feel you don’t want to wait, or you’d prefer—”

  “Never. Never ever say that. What I want is to be with you. The time we spend together is everything. I wouldn’t trade it for some random, meaningless encounter.” Daniel sat up a little, and his face was serious as he watched her with intense, deep green eyes.

  “What I was going to say was that I want you to let me know. I want you to tell me so we can both walk away.” The very idea of losing him filled her with sadness, but she wanted to be clear about her feelings. She began to mentally prepare herself for him to change his mind, while her heart held on to the hope he’d still want to stay. Arrows of pain pierced her chest as she searched his eyes for the answer his lips might confess.