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All Our Tomorrows

By

Eden Robins

( c) cop yr ig ht A ug us t 2 00 3 b y E den R ob in s

C ov er a rt b y E li za B la ck , ( c) c op yr ig ht A ug us t 2 00 3

New Concepts Publishing

5 20 2 H um ph reys R d.

L ake P ar k, G A 3 16 36

www.newconceptspublishing.com

T o m y f at he r, E dg ar , w ho h el pe d m e r ea li ze t ha t u gl y d uc kl in gs c an g ro w u p t o b ec om e b ea ut if ul

swans.

Thanks Dad.

1

Y e ar 2 00 4

The raised knife reflected the moonlight shining in through the open window, momentarily blinding Jo

S ha T a R em . He l ow er ed i t s li gh tl y, r eg ai ni ng h is s ig ht . A nd w ha t a s ig ht i t wa s. Th e w om an l ay

peacefully in her bed, oblivious to the danger she was now in. Though he hadn?t much practice using

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s uc h a n a nc ie nt w ea po n, h e k ne w t ha t h is w ar ri or ?s s ki ll w ou ld n ot f ai l h im . H e c oul d k il l he r i n a s ec on d,

i f h e c ho se t o. Y et h er a pp ea ra nc e, s o i nn oc en t, s o v ul ne ra bl e i n h er s le ep , s ta ye d h is h an d.

S he l ay o n h er b ac k, a rm s r ai se d a nd r es ti ng o n e it he r s id e o f h er h ea d. H er l on g s li gh tl y c ur ly h ai r w as

s pr ea d a ll a ro un d h er , i n w av es o f d is ar ra y u po n h er p il lo w. T ho ug h h e c ou ld n? t s ee m uc h o f h er f ea tu re s

i n t he da rk, he kne w fr om t he i ma ge he ha d be en s hown tha t he r l ips we re f ul l a nd l us h, a nd he r nos e

s tr on g. W he n h e h ad f ir st s ee n h er p ic tu re , h er e ye s h ad t ou ch ed h im t he m os t. T he y w er e b ri gh t g re en ,lively, and filled with intelligence, and they seemed to pull at him relentlessly. He fought that attraction,

kn ow ing i t wo ul d l ea d t o no go od . He w as he re t o k il l he r, not w oo he r.

S h e s ud denl y g rew r es tl es s and k icked t he s heet s o ff , g iv in g h im an ent icin g v iew o f h er v ol up tu ou s

c ur ve s. S he w or e n ot hi ng u nd er t he s he et . J o S ha s to od f ro ze n a s d es ir e c ra sh ed t hr ou gh h im i n

u nr el en ti ng w av es . H e c le nc he d b ot h f is ts , o ne a ro un d t he k ni fe ?s h an dl e a nd o ne a ro un d t he b la de , a s h e

s tr ug gl ed t o g et con tr ol o f h im self . T he f eel o f t he m et al cut ti ng i nt o h is f lesh h el ped h im r eg ai n h is abi li ty

to function again.

H e s tu mb le d b ac kw ar ds f ro m t he b ed. L os in g a ll h is u su al s te al th , h e a lm os t k noc ke d o ve r a l am p i n h isr us h t o c li mb o ut o f t he w in do w. H e h ea rd h er s ha rp i nt ak e o f b re at h w it h h is a cu te h ea ri ng . H ad s he

s ee n h im ? O nc e o ut si de , J o S ha m el te d i nt o t he d ar ke ne d d es er t a ro un d h im . H e l ea ne d h is h ea d b ac k

a nd e xh al ed l ou dl y. H e c ou ld n ot d o t hi s t on igh t. H e w ou ld h ave t o g o w it h h is a lt er na te p la n.

2

?Dr . M at th ew s, m eet y ou r n ew col leag ue, D r. J os hu a T rem. H e?ll b e h an dl in g q uali ty ass ur an ce and

procedure evaluation until Dr. Morrow is back on his feet.?

D r. H el en M at th ew s t ur ne d, g av e t he m an s he w as b ei ng i nt ro du ce d t o a q ui ck o nc e o ve r, n od de d h er h ea d, t he n s wu ng b ac k a ro un d t o r es um e h er w or k. S he h ad l it tl e t im e f or s oc ia l p le as an tr ie s a s l ea d

environmental researcher for the Phoenix Project. She was meticulous about following correct procedure

and d id n?t l ik e b ei ng r eq ui red t o h av e o ne t eam m em ber l oo ki ng o ver h er s ho ul der, check in g t hat s he

f ol lo w a ll t he r ul es . S he h ad h op ed a ft er D r. M or ro w? s a cc id en t t ha t t he y w ou ld h av e a b re ak f ro m

observation for a while.

? Ni ce t o m ee t y ou , D r. M at th ew s, ? D r. T re m s ai d, h ol di ng h is h an d o ut . ? Pl ea se c al l m e J os h. ?

?A nd y ou c an c al l m e D r. M at th ew s, ? s he c ou nt er ed i mp at ie nt ly , a s s he h el d o ut h er o wn h an d.

T he f eel o f h is w ar m, s tr on g g ri p s ur ro un di ng h er s l ef t h er s om ew hat u ns et tl ed . S he f in al ly t oo k a g oo d

l oo k a t h er n ew a ss oc ia te . H e w as d ef in it el y n o G Q m od el . H e w as s o f ar f ro m i t t ha t i t m om en ta ri ly

t oo k h er b re at h a wa y. T he re w as n ot hi ng s of t a bo ut D r. J os hu a T re m. H e p ra ct ic al ly s cr ea me d t he w or d

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m al e. H e w as t al l, o ve r s ix f ee t, y et h e a pp ea re d s to ck y i ns te ad o f l an ky , d ue t o t he w el l- de ve lo pe d

m us cl es t hat w er e app ar en t even u nd er h is clo th in g.

I f s he m et t hi s m an o n t he s tr ee t, a nd d id n? t k no w h e w as a s ci en ti st l ik e h er se lf , s he w ou ld h av e g ue ss ed

t ha t h e w as a b od yg ua rd , p ro fe ss io na l s ol di er , o r e ve n s om eo ne ?s h ir ed m us cl e. I t w as n? t j us t t he w ay

h e l oo ke d. I t w as h ow h e he ld h im se lf . T en se , a s i f w ai ti ng f or s om et hi ng t o h ap pe n. A nd w he n i t d id , s he

kn ew h e wo ul d b e r ea dy f or i t.

Pi er ci ng s te el b lu e e ye s b en ea th d ar k s la sh in g e ye br ow s, a n os e t ha t a pp ea re d t o h av e o nc e b ee n

broken and not properly reset, and a mouth that looked like it rarely gave a smile made up the craggy

f ea tu re s o f h is f ac e. Y et , t wo t hi ng s a bo ut h is a pp ea ra nc e s ur pr is ed h er . F ir st , h e h ad a s ma ll c le ft i n h is

chi n, w hi ch m ad e t he h ar d l in e o f h is j aw l oo k l es s u ncom pr om is in g. S econ d, h is l on g, cho co late b ro wn

h ai r, w hi ch h e w or e t ie d b ac k, l oo ke d s o s of t s he h ad t o r es tr ai n h er se lf f ro m r ea ch in g o ut a nd t es ti ng i ts

silky texture.

H el en c on ti nu ed t o og le h im , u nt il h e n ot ic ed a nd h el d h er s ta re w it h h is o wn . H e ga ze d s o i nt en tl y a t h er

t ha t s he f el t l ike he w as t ryi ng t o r ea d h er m in d. S he s hi ft ed h er e ye s f ro m h is w hi le a tt em pt ing t o p ul l h er h an d a wa y. W he n h e d id n? t i mm ed ia te ly r el ea se i t, s he m et h is s ta re o nc e m or e. H is e xp re ss io n h ad

t ur ne d a s c ol d a s i ce .

? It ?s a p le as ur e t o m ee t y ou , D r. M at th ew s. I ?m s ur e w e? ll b e v er y c om pa ti bl e. ?

H e r el ea se d h er h an d s o a br up tl y t ha t s he a lm os t s tu mb le d b ac k, b ut m an ag ed t o r ig ht h er se lf a t t he l as t

m inu te . S he w as a bo ut t o m ak e a b it in g c om me nt t o h im a bo ut t he re b ei ng no n ee d f or c om pa ti bi li ty i n

t he ir w or k, b ut h e h ad a lr ea dy t ur ne d a wa y f ro m h er . H e m ov ed o n t o m ee t t he n ex t s ci en ti st o n t he ir

t eam. I t w as D ru scil la A nd rews , and i n h er u su al ani mated w ay , t he att ract iv e r ed h ead p ract ical ly f el l all

o ver D r. T rem. H el en cri ng ed w hen D ru l et o ut h er i nf am ou s g ig gl e.

D ru ha d o nc e t ol d H el en t ha t s he u se d t ha t g ig gl e w he n s he w as f li rt in g, b ec au se m en a lw ay s t ol d he r

t hey l ik ed h er b ub bl y p er so nali ty and l au gh ter. H el en t ho ug ht h er l au gh s ou nd ed l ik e a m ix b et ween a

braying donkey and a sick bullfrog, but never shared that information with the woman. Nevertheless, it

s ee me d t o w or k, a s s he s aw t he p re vi ou sl y s to ic D r. T re m l au gh i n a h us ky , i nt im at e t on e a t s om et hi ng

D ru h ad w hi sp er ed i n h is e ar . T he s ou nd o f h is l au gh s en t s hi ve rs do wn he r s pi ne , b ri ng in g t he i ma ge o f

s il k s he et s a nd a c an dl e l it b ed ro om t o m in d. S he g ri tt ed h er t ee th a nd t ri ed t o r et ur n h er c on ce nt ra ti on t o

h er c ur re nt p ro je ct . I f t he t wo o f t he m w an te d t o a ct l ik e h or mo na l t ee na ge rs , t ha t w as t he ir p re ro ga ti ve .

She ha d work to do.

De spi te h er e ff or ts t o i gno re Dr . Tr em , s he w as c ons ci ou s of e ve ry m ove h e ma de . He w as l ik e a c age dani mal p ro wl in g r es tl es sl y t hr ou gh t he l ab . A nd s he cou ld n?t s hake t he f eeli ng t hat h e w as j us t as aware

o f h er . S he f el t h is e ye s b ur ni ng h ol es i n h er b ac k, y et e ve ry t im e s he t ur ne d a ro un d, h is i nt er es t w as

a lw ay s e ls ew he re . S he s aw h is b or ed om a nd r el ax ed a ir a s h e s po ke w it h t he o th er s ci en ti st s o n t he

t ea m, b ut s en se d t ha t i t w as n ot r ea l. S he i ma gi ne d a p re da to r l ay in g i n w ai t. R ea dy t o p ou nc e w he n t he

time was right.

H el en s ho ok h er h ea d a t h er o wn f oo li sh ne ss . W ha t w as s he t hi nk in g? S o t he m an w as i nt er es ti ng t o

l ook a t, wh y w as s he o bs es si ng a bo ut i t? I t h ad t o be be ca us e o f l as t n igh t. Sh e ha d t he s tr an ge st d re am .

S he w as l yi ng i n h er be d, a nd a t al l, p ow er fu ll y bu il t ma n w as l ea ni ng o ve r h er , h is d ar k ha ir f al li ng a rou nd

h is f ace, m ak in g h is f eatu res u nr ecog ni zabl e. S he h ad f el t n o f ear, o nl y a cer tain r es tl es sn es s, w hi ch s he

cou ld n?t q ui te u nd er st an d. H e d rew clo se t o h er f or a m om en t, alm os t t ou ch in g h er . H is p ro xi mi ty h ad

brought a fire roaring to life inside her. It made her yearn for something just out of reach. Then he pulled

away.

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S he w an te d t o m ov e c lo se r t o h im b ut c ou ld n? t. H er r es tl es sn es s g re w u nt il s he h ad a ct ua ll y w ok en u p,

g as pi ng w it h a p ul sati ng ach e t hat alm os t con su med h er . A n oi se b y h er w in do w d iv er ted h er att en ti on .

W hen s he g lanced i n t hat d ir ecti on , all s he s aw w as t he s wayi ng cur tain b ei ng b lo wn i nw ar ds b y t he w in d.

Sh e di dn ?t r em em be r op eni ng i t. To o t ir ed t o d we ll o n i t, s he s hut t he w ind ow a nd we nt b ac k t o b ed.

W he n s he w ok e u p t hi s m or ni ng , s he c oul d s ti ll r em em be r t he f ee l o f t ha t p ow er fu l a ch e.

E ve n n ow s om et hi ng s ti rr ed t o l if e i ns id e he r. S he c lo se d he r e ye s, a nd c le nc he d h er b ody t ig ht ly i n a n

e ff or t t o s top i t. S en si ng s om eon e w as ne ar , s he o pe ne d h er e ye s a nd g as pe d. D r. Tr em w as s ta nd in g s o

c lo se t o he r t ha t s he ha d t o l if t he r c hi n t o m ee t h is g az e. S he m ai nt ai ne d t he i nd if fe re nt l oo k s he ha d

m an ag ed t o p er fe ct o ve r t he y ea rs . N ot hi ng o f w ha t s he f el t s ho we d o n h er f ac e.

H is e ye s s ea rc he d h er s d ee pl y a nd h is b ro w f ur ro we d i n c on st er na ti on . H is n os tr il s f la re d, a s i f h e w as

cat ch in g h er s cent . H e b eg an clenchi ng and u nclenchi ng h is j aw t ig ht ly . H is b ur ni ng eyes n ev er l ef t h er s as

h e s lo wl y l if ted h is h an d t ow ar ds h er f ace.

H el en w an te d t o t el l h im t o s to p b ut c ou ld n? t f or m t he w or ds . T he a ch e s he h ad o nl y s o r ec en tl y b ec om ea wa re o f e ng ul fe d h er . H er l eg s f el t u ns te ad y. S he h el d t he c ou nt er b eh in d h er f or s up po rt . H is h an d w as

d rawi ng clo ser, and h er s ki n t in gl ed i n ant icip at io n o f h is t ou ch . S he f el l i nt o t he d ep th s o f h is b lu e eyes,

u nabl e t o s to p h er self .

? J os h, d id y ou s ay y ou w ou ld m ee t m e a t m y a pa rt me nt t on ig ht a t s ix o r s ev en o ?c lo ck ?? D ru sc il la

practically purred as she sidled close to Dr. Trem and placed a hand on his shoulder.

D ru ?s q ue st io n w as l ik e a b uc ke t o f i ce -c ol d w at er b ei ng t hr ow n o n H el en . S he r ec oi le d f ro m D r. T re m

a nd p ul le d h er se lf t og et he r. H er e ye s n ar ro we d w it h c on te mp t a nd s ho t d ar ts o f a ng er h is w ay . H e

s ee me d o bl iv io us t o i t a s h e c on ti nu ed t o d ev ou r h er w it h h is h ot s ta re . S he l if te d h er c hi n p ro ud ly a nd

d ar ed h im wi th h er e ye s. S he s aw a dm ir at ion f la sh b ri ef ly i n hi s ga ze a nd a s ma ll s mi le t il t on e c or ne r of h is m ou th u p. T he n h e s hu tt er ed h is e xp re ss io n t o o ne o f p le as an t b or ed om a nd t ur ne d w it h a s er en e

s mi le t o D ru .

? Si x o ?c lo ck , D ru . I ?l l s ee y ou t he n, ? h e s ai d w it h a f ri en dl y n od b ef or e w al ki ng a wa y.

H el en r el eas ed t he b reath s he h ad b een h ol di ng .

? Is n? t h e a h un k? ? D ru a sk ed w it h a d re am y e xp re ss io n. H er g az e f ol lo we d h is e xi t f ro m t he l ab .

? Ye s, a h un k o f s om et hi ng I ?d r at he r n ot s ay i n p ol it e c on ve rs at io n, ? s he r es po nd ed t ar tl y, t he n t ur ne dw it h a s cow l t o h er c ol le ag ue . ? Don ?t yo u ha ve w or k t o d o, D ru ??

L at er t ha t n ig ht , H el en w as s ti ll s te wi ng w it h a ng er a s s he t ri ed t o r ea d. O ne o f h er f av or it e a ut ho rs h ad

just come out with another book. It was the fifth in a series of humorous, amateur sleuth romances, and

H el en w as r eall y l oo ki ng f or ward t o s tart in g i t. B ut s he j us t cou ld n?t g et i nt o i t. H er t ho ug ht s k ep t g oi ng

ov er t he w ay D r. Tr em ha d l oo ke d a t h er i n t he l ab e ar li er t ha t d ay.

T he n er ve o f t he m an -- be in g s uc h a b la ta nt p la ye r w as u nb el ie va bl e! A nd s he k ne w p la ye rs w el l. S he

h ad eno ug h exp er ience w it h t hem t o l as t a l if et im e. U sers and abu sers , m en w it ho ut h on or , w ho d id n?t

kn ow w ha t h one st y w as . T he y we re me n w ho h ad us ed he r f or wh at s he k ne w o r wh er e s he c ou ld ge t

t he m wi th t he ir c ar ee r. Sh e h ad m et a f ew on h er pa th t o b ec omi ng wh at s he w as t oda y. A nd s he h ad

l earn ed h er l es so n w el l.

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Y es , s he kne w j us t t he ki nd of m an Dr . Tr em w as . And if he t hought s he w as c ol d whe n the y f ir st m et,

just wait until tomorrow. He would be frozen! She would maintain a professional relationship with him,

but that would be it. Her goal to become team leader of the Phoenix Project had come to fruition, and

s he w as n? t a bou t t o l et a ma n l ik e hi m di st ra ct he r or ge t i n h er wa y.

Sh e c ou ld n? t r em em be r a t im e w he n s he h ad n? t s tr ug gl ed a nd c om pe te d t o a tt ai n h er g oa ls . E ve n a s a

chi ld , h er env ir on ment l ed i ts el f t o s uch t hi ng s. I n a h ou se f ul l o f s ib li ng s w ho w er e f as ter, t al ler, s ki nn ier,prettier and more popular than her, competition became second nature to her. She was the proverbial

u gl y du ck li ng o f h er f am il y. Sh or t o n l ook s, l on g on b ra ins , a nd f ul l o n h ip s, he r t wo s is te rs a lw ay s u se d t o

t eas e. W her eas t hey w er e cheerl ead er s and p ro m q ueens , al ways d at in g t he b es t l oo ki ng , p op ul ar, s t ar

o f t he f oo tb al l t eam t yp es , s he w as t he b rain y, p lu mp w al lf lo wer, w it h g lass es and a b oo k con st an tl y

s t uck u nd er h er n os e. H er t hr ee b ro th er s w er e j ocks , al ter nat el y p layi ng t r ack, f oo tb al l , o r b as eball , and

s he f ou nd o ut e ar ly o n t ha t s po rt s j us t w er en ?t h er s tr en gt h e it he r. H er c oo rd in at io n, o r l ac k t he re of

became a problem she just couldn?t overcome.

O nc e s he r ea li ze d t ha t s he c ou ld n ev er c om pe te w it h h er s is te rs i n p op ul ar it y, o r h er b ro th er s i n s po rt s,

s he s tr ov e i ns te ad t o b e b et te r i n s ch oo l t ha n a ll h er s ib li ng s. H er c om pe ti ti on d id n? t s to p t he ret ho ug h- -s he a ls o j oi ne d t he d eb at e t ea m a nd s ci en ce c lu b. S he t ho ug ht i f s he e xc el le d i n t he se a re as , h er

s ib li ng s w ou ld a cc ep t a nd r es pe ct h er , b ut t ha t n ev er h ap pe ne d. I ns te ad , h er s is te rs c al le d h er a b ra in y

dw ee b a nd h er b rot he rs t ol d h er t ha t he r d ri ve f or s uc ce ss on ly m ad e he r s ee m c ol d t o t he b oy s t he y

k ne w. D es pi te t hi s, s he h el d o ut , h op in g t o m ak e h er p ar en ts p ro ud .

Unfortunately, her parents? background left them little room for understanding her ?uniqueness?, as they

u se d t o c al l i t. H er f at he r w as a n e x- fr at er ni ty p re si de nt -- tu rn ed r ea l e st at e d ev el op er , a nd h er m ot he r

w as a f or mer p ro m q ueen- -t ur ned- so ci al it e h ou sewi fe. H el en l ov ed t hem b ot h, and s he h op ed t hey l ov ed

h er i n t he ir o wn w ay , b ut t he y n ev er s ee me d t o e xp re ss i t p hy si ca ll y o r v er ba ll y, o r t ri ed t o u nd er st an d

h er . M or e o ft en t ha n n ot , t he y w ou ld l oo k a t h er l ik e s he w as a n a li en w ho se l an gu ag e t he y d id n? t

c om pr eh en d. T he y k ep t a ll h er s ci en ce , d eb at e, a nd a ca de mi c a wa rd s u p o n t he m an te l w it h h er b ro th er sa nd s is te rs , b ut t he y ne ve r s ee me d t o c onve y t he s am e a mount of pr ide i n h er f or t hos e e ff or ts a s t he y di d

for her siblings.

T he y w ou ld p at h er h ea d a nd m ak e c om me nt s l ik e, ? Th at ?s n ic e, d ea r. W e? ll p ut i t o n t he m an te l w it h

t he o th er s. ? T he n t he y w ou ld a lw ay s h av e t o a dd t he s am e q ue st io ns , ? Bu t a re n? t y ou g oi ng t o t ry o ut f or

c he er this yea r? ? or ?do you ha ve a da te for t he prom ye t? ?

I t w as a s i f h er a cc om pl is hm en ts w er en ?t g oo d e no ug h. S he n ev er m ad e m an y f ri en ds , b ec au se h er

single-minded pursuit of success, and her competitive attitude left people thinking she was cold-hearted

and m ean, and h er i nt el li gence o ft en i nt im id at ed h er p eers . S he h ad acq uain tances o n t he d eb at e t eama nd s ci enc e c lub, w ho s he woul d go ou t w it h o n t he w ee ke nds , but no one s he c ou ld r ea ll y c al l h er be st

f ri en d. A t t im es , gr owi ng u p, s he h ad b ee n l on el y a nd m is se d h av ing a s pe ci al f ri end t o c on fi de i n b ut t he n

e ve nt ua ll y a cc ep te d t he f ac t t ha t s he j us t w as n? t a s oc ia l p er so n.

She k ept t ryi ng t o be t he b es t s he c ou ld be i n s cho ol , h opi ng t ha t he r pa re nt s wo ul d j us t onc e s ay t ha t

m ag ic al p hr as e, ? We l ov e y ou a nd w e? re s o p ro ud o f y ou , H el en ?. A ft er g ra du at in g t op o f h er c la ss i n

c ol le ge , t he n g ra du at e s ch oo l, a nd h av in g h er p ar en ts s ti ll l oo k a t h er l ik e s he w as a c ur io si ty t o t he m, s he

f in al ly r ea li ze d s he m ay n ev er h ea r t ho se w or ds . S he s ti ll w as c om pe ti ti ve a nd s tr ov e t o b e t he b es t a t

w ha t s he d id , b ut n ow s he d id i t f or h er se lf . S he w an te d t o e ve nt ua ll y b ec om e l ea d s ci en ti st o f a ll o f t he

P ho en ix P ro ject env ir on ment al r es earch t eams , and s he w as n?t g oi ng t o l et a m an l ik e D r. J os hu a T rem

s id et ra ck h er , n o m at te r h ow m uc h h e a pp ea le d t o h er .

Whe re ha d t ha t t ho ugh t c ome f rom ? Dr . T re m a ppe al t o he r? W el l, m ay be he di d i n s om e s or t of ba si c,

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physical way, but she would get over it. She didn?t need a big, muscle-bound, blue-eyed Casanova to

m ak e h er l if e com pl et e. S he w ou ld d o j us t f in e w it ho ut h im . F eeli ng m uch b et ter aft er g iv in g h er self a p ep

t al k, H el en t ri ed t o c on ti nu e r ea di ng , b ut t he w or ds i n f ro nt o f h er k ep t b lu rr in g, a nd t he i ma ge o f a f ie rc e,

r ug ge d w ar ri or w it h l on g, s il ky , b ro wn h ai r a nd a b ar e c he st k ep t p op pi ng u p i n h er m in d. H el en g ro an ed

i n f ru st ra ti on , a nd p ut t he b oo k d ow n o n t he c of fe e t ab le i n f ro nt o f h er .

S he h ad j us t r es ig ne d h er se lf t o g oi ng t o b ed e ar ly , a nd h ad c ha ng ed i nt o o ne o f h er c om fo rt ab le t an k tops , whe n t her e wa s a knoc k on he r f ront door. She l ooked a t t he cl ock a nd s aw t ha t i t wa s ni ne

o ?c lo ck . W ho c ou ld t ha t b e a t t hi s h ou r? M os t o f t he p eo pl e s he k ne w w er e e it he r r ea di ng o r w at ch in g

TV at hom e, or he ade d f or be d.

? Wh o i s i t? ? s he a sk ed , a s s he a pp ro ac he d t he d oo r.

? It ?s J o S h- uh -- Dr . Tr em . M ay I c om e i n a nd s pe ak t o y ou f or a m om en t? ?

H ele n j umpe d a t t he s ound of hi s vo ic e. W ha t wa s he doi ng he re ? It wa s a s if a ll he r t hought s ha d

s ome how c on jur ed hi m. S he wi she d s he h ad pe eke d out t he wi ndow t o s ee w ho i t w as f ir st , s o s he c oul dh av e p re te nd ed s he w as n? t h om e. B ut t ha t w as t he c ow ar d? s w ay o ut , a nd s he w as n o c ow ar d. S he

w ou ld j us t u se t hi s o pp or tu ni ty t o s et t hi ng s s tr ai gh t w it h J os h, s o t here w ou ld b e n o m is un ders tand in gs i n

t he f ut ur e. S he r ai se d h er c hi n h ig h, a nd f or ge tt in g w ha t s he w as w ea ri ng , o pe ne d t he d oo r. T ha t w as h er

f ir st m is ta ke . T he s ec on d o ne w as l oo ki ng i nt o h is e ye s. S he c lu tc he d t he d oo rk no b t ig ht ly f or s up po rt a s

h er l eg s t ur ned i nt o u seless n oo dl es .

J os h f el t t he h un ger cou rs e t hr ou gh h im f as t and h ar d. T he i mp act l ef t h im s tr ug gl in g t o k eep f ro m

g ra bb ing H el en a nd p ul li ng h er r ou gh ly i nt o h is a rm s. H is e ye s dr an k i n t he s igh t o f h er a s s he s to od

f ro zen, eyes d il at ed l ik e an ani mal cau gh t i n t he h eadl ig ht s o f an o ncom in g v eh icle. H er h ai r w as l oo se,f al li ng i n d el icat e d is ar ray aro un d h er f ace and s ho ul ders , m ak in g h er eyes l oo k l ar ge and l um in ou s, and

h er c hi n s of t a nd v ul ne ra bl e. S om e s tr an ds o f g ol de n b lo nd h ai r l ay s of tl y c ur le d a t t he b as e o f h er t hr oa t,

cov er in g t he p ul se h e s aw f lu tt er in g r ap id ly b en eath i t.

H is g azed l ow er ed t o h er b reas ts . H e s wall ow ed con vu ls iv el y at t he s ig ht o f h er s tr ai ni ng n ip pl es , s o

c le ar ly o ut li ne d b en ea th t he t ig ht , s le ev el es s t op s he w or e. H e r ea ch ed o ut s ha ki ly w it h o ne h an d t o t ou ch

h er . H e he ar d h er g as p, a nd h e f roz e. Hi s e ye s r os e s ha rp ly t o m ee t he rs . H er ga ze r ef le ct ed t he de si re

t ha t w as p ou nd in g a t h im , b ut s he w as s lo wl y s ha ki ng h er h ea d ba ck a nd f or th i n d en ia l.

? No ,? s he s ai d i n t he b ar es t of w hi sp er s.

J os h i mm ed ia te ly d ro pp ed h is h an d t o h is s id e, t he n w it h a l as t b ur ni ng l oo k, b ru sh ed p as t h er i nt o h er

apart ment . H e k ep t h is eyes avert ed , p retend in g i nt er es t i n h er f ur ni sh in gs . S he s li pp ed b y h im i nt o

another room.

?I- uh -I ?l l b e r ig ht o ut . L et m e j us t chang e, ? s he s tamm er ed l ou dl y b ef or e s lamm in g h er b ed ro om d oo r.

W he n s he c am e o ut a f ew m in ut es l at er h e c ou ld n? t h id e h is a mu se d s mi le . S he l oo ke d l ik e s he w as

dr es se d f or b at tl e. H er ha ir wa s t ie d ba ck t igh tl y a ga ins t he r h ea d. S he ha d on a b ul ky s we at er a nd l oo se

pants. Despite the fact that he could barely make out her shape beneath her clothes, the image of her

s we et c ur ve s w he n s he a ns we re d t he d oo r w as b ra nd ed o n h is b ra in .

? I do n? t f in d t hi s t he l ea st bi t a mu si ng . W ha t a re y ou d oi ng h er e s o l at e? I w ou ld h ave t ho ug ht y ou ?d s ti ll

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be visiting with Dru,? she said with a frown, folding her arms over her chest defensively.

He r stre ss on the word ?vi siti ng? was not lost on Jos h, yet he chose to i gnore it . He had a plan, a nd he

n ee de d t o f ol lo w t hr ou gh w it h i t. H e c ou ld n ot a ff or d t o l et h is a tt ra ct io n t o H el en ge t i n t he w ay .

? I? m n ot he re t o s oc ia li ze . I ha ve a que st ion f or you , a nd I e xpe ct a n h one st a ns we r, ? he s ai d c ol dl y, a ll

emo ti on g on e f ro m h is f ace.

T he m in ut e h e s pok e, h e k ne w H el en w ou ld b ri st le l ik e t he n at iv e y aq ue sh t ha t l iv ed i n t he f or es ts o f h is

planet. Like the porcupine of earth, the animal?s needles would stand on end when it was threatened.

H ow ev er , u nl ik e t he p or cu pi ne, o ne s ti ng f ro m a y aq uesh ?s n eedl e cou ld k il l a f ul l- gr ow n m an , and i ts

intelligence kept its multicolored beatuy elusive.

H e k ne w h e w as n? t g oi ng t o b e d is ap po in te d w he n H el en s ti ff en ed a ft er h ea ri ng h is w or ds , t he n d re w

herself up ramrod straight. She lifted her chin imperiously at him.

? How d ar e you i mpl y t ha t I ?d b e di sho ne st ? I ?ve w or ke d o n t hi s pr oj ec t f or t he l as t y ea r, a nd m yr ecor d i s i mp eccabl e. I r es en t t he i mp li cati on again st m y i nt eg ri ty . I f any on e s ho ul d b e q uest io ned, I ?d

i ns is t t ha t i t b e y ou . Y ou ?v e j us t j oi ne d o ur t ea m, a nd w e k no w a bs ol ut el y n ot hi ng a bo ut y ou ,? s he s ta te d

proudly.

? Dr . M at th ew s, I e xp ec t a n a ns we r. W hy h av e t hi s t ea m? s e xp er im en ts o ve r t he l as t y ea r b ee n

tampered with, and therefore, made invalid?? he asked, holding her gaze with his own uncompromising

o ne , d es pi te t he f ac t t ha t h er s h ad n ar ro we d w it h a ng er .

?W hat are y ou t al ki ng abo ut ? W here d id y ou g et t hi s i nf or mati on ? O ur exp er im en ts are com pl et el y

c le an . N o o ne h as t am pe re d w it h t he m, ? s he s ta te d f ir ml y.

?Du ri ng m y v is it w it h D ru scil la, w e w en t o ver m y p redecess or ?s n ot es , o bs er vati on s, and r es ul ts f ro m

t he l ast y ear . T her e ar e s everal d is cr epancies and d ep ar t ur es f r om cor rect p ro cedu re, w hi ch r eq ui r e

looking into,? Josh explained.

H e c ou ld t el l b y H el en ?s s ur pr is ed e xp re ss io n, t ha t s he w as g en ui ne ly u na wa re o f w ha t h e s po ke a bo ut .

He wo ul d t ak e f ul l a dva nt age of t hi s. I t wou ld b e a wa y f or h im t o ge t t o know he r be tt er a nd l ea rn he r

h abi ts . T hi s w ou ld help h im w hen t he t im e cam e f or h im t o f ul fi ll h is o bl ig at io n t o h is f am il y.

? I d on? t k no w w ha t yo u f ou nd d ur in g y our l it tl e t et e ? a t et e w it h D ru sc il la , b ut y ou m us t b e m is ta ke n, ?

s he s ai d col dl y.

?I d on ?t m ak e m is takes abo ut s om et hi ng l ik e t hi s, D r. M at th ew s. P leas e m eet m e t om or ro w m or ni ng at

s ix o ?c lo ck i n t he l ab . I ?d l ik e t o d is cu ss t hi s f ur th er w it h y ou t he n, ? h e d em an de d j us t a s c ol dl y.

? Si x o ?c loc k? I c an? t d o t ha t. I ha ve r es ul ts t ha t I n ee d t o r ec or d f ir st t hi ng i n t he m or n- -?

? It c an w ai t. I ?l l s ee y ou a t s ix . D on ?t b e l at e, ? h e i nt er ru pt ed , a nd w it h o ne l as t s ca th in g p er us al o f h er

f ro m h ea d t o t oe , h e l ef t w it ho ut a no th er w or d.

As h e wa lk ed a wa y, h e he ar d t he do or t o He le n? s a pa rt me nt s la m s o l oud ly t he wa ll s s ee me d t o s ha ke .

He s mi le d a nd s hook hi s h ea d. Tha t wom an w as goi ng t o be a ha ndf ul , t ha t? s f or s ur e. She wa s n ot onl y

v er y i nt el li ge nt ; s he w as a ls o f ul l o f s pi ri t a nd c ou ra ge . Tr ai ts a w ar ri or c ou ld b e p ro ud o f i n h im se lf o r h is

m at e. M at e? W he re h ad t ha t t ho ug ht c om e f ro m? H is s mi le t ur ne d i nt o a s co wl , j us t a s h e f el t a v ib ra ti on

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a t h is hi p. A lt hou gh i t a ppe ar ed t o be a r egu la r p age r, t he s ma ll s qua re s ha pe d bo x a tt ac he d t o t he

w ai st band o f h is p an ts w as i n f act h is com mu ni cati on s l in k t o h is com pu ter. H e s po ke alo ud , k no wi ng

Brunhilda could pick up his voice almost anywhere.

?What is it, Brunhilda??

? I j us t w an te d t o l et y ou k no w t ha t I f in is he d a ll t he a dj us tm en ts t o t he c om put er f il es h er e. E ve ry thi ng i ss et u p f or y ou ,? a w om an ?s v oi ce a ns we re d f ro m t he c om mu ni ca to r, y et i t w as i n t he w el l- mo du la te d,

unemotional tone of a machine.

?Th an k y ou . I s t here any th in g els e??

? No , J o S ha T a R em . T ha t i s a ll ,? t he c om pu te r s ta te d, c lo si ng t he l in k b et we en t he m.

T he c om pu te r? s c om mu ni ca ti on r em in de d J os h t ha t h e w as n ot h er e t o ? ha nd le ? H el en . H e w as h er e t o

a ss as si na te h er . T ha t g ra te d a ga in st a ll h e u ph el d i n t he n am e o f h on or , b ut h is d ut y w as a pp ar en t. K il l

t hi s w om an , o r h is s is ter w ou ld d ie. H is s is ter?s abd ucto rs , T an vi er an s F or t he E nv ir on ment , o r T FE ast he y w er e o ft en c al le d, h ad m ad e i t a bu nd an tl y c le ar o n t he d ay t he y k id na pp ed S a R a, t ha t i f h e d id n? t

s ucceed i n t hi s m is si on b ack i n t im e, h er l if e w ou ld b e f or feit . T he f act t hat t he T FE w er e env ir on ment al

t er ro ri st s w ho h ad k il led b ef or e l ef t h im n o d ou bt t hey w ou ld m ur der h is s is ter w it ho ut h es it at io n. I t m ad e

n o d if fe re nc e t o t he m t ha t h is f at he r a nd m ot he r r ul ed t he e nt ir e p la ne t o f T an vi er a, o r t ha t h e a nd h is

s is te r we re T ok R ok a nd T ok a R ok , he ir a nd h ei re ss t o t he t hr one . T o t he m, t hi s w as m er el y a me an s t o

a n e nd , w it h l it tl e r eg ar d f or t he l if e o r l iv es o f t he pe opl e i nvo lv ed.

T ha t n ig ht , J os h t os se d a nd t ur ne d r es tl es sl y i n h is b ed . H e d re am ed o f h is h om e p la ne t, T an vi er a. H e

w as i n t he b al lr oo m w here h is p ar en ts o ft en ent er tain ed . T he s wayi ng m us ic o f t he R ov H um f il led t he air ,

ye t t he da nc e f lo or w as e mpt y e xc ep t f or on e c oup le . A s t he y t ur ne d a nd s wa ye d, he d is cov er ed t ha t h e

w as t he m an d an ci ng . H e w as i n t he t hr oe s o f t he m ov em en ts , e as il y c om mu ni ca ti ng t o h is p ar tn er t ha t h ew an te d h er a s h is m at e. T he wo ma n he he ld i n h is a rm s w as e qu al ly m ee ti ng t he i nt ens it y o f hi s s edu ct iv e

actions.

T he R ov H um w as a da nc e m ade u p o f a s eq ue nc e o f c ho re og ra ph ed s te ps , e ac h on e m ea nt t o s edu ce

a nd a tt ra ct o ne ?s p ar tn er . T he m us ic o f t he R ov H um w as c re at ed t o s yn ch ro ni ze w it h e ac h a ct io n,

ent icin g and ent rancin g w it h each n ot e. T he com bi nati on o f m ov em en t, s ig ht and s ou nd , w it h a m al e and

f em al e alr eady att ract ed t o each o th er , p er fo rm in g i t i n p er fect u ni so n, creat ed a s ex ual energ y t hat w as

h ar d t o d en y. T hi s d an ce h ad o ri gi na te d h un dr ed s o f y ea rs a go o n T an vi er a, b ut o nc e t he p la ne t j oi ne d

the Interplanetary Coalition and started allowing visitors, the Rov Hum became popular throughout the

universe.

Wh at m os t v is it or s d id n? t r ea li ze , h ow ev er , w as t ha t t he re w as m or e t o t he d an ce t ha n t he m us ic a nd

m ov em en ts . I t w as act uall y a cer em on y, w hi ch n ot o nl y b ou nd t he m an and w om an t og et her, b ut als o

s ym bo li call y i ni ti at ed t heir t og et hern es s i n t he R ov H um , o r ?tr ue s el f?. A t t he cul mi nati on o f t he d an ce,

w he n b ot h t he m al e a nd f em al e w er e a lm os t d es pe ra te w it h n ee d f or e ac h o th er , p eo pl e e ac h d an ce r h ad

cho sen t o r ep resent t hem w ou ld p hy si call y s ep ar at e t hem f ro m o ne ano th er . T he m an and w om an w ou ld

be brought separately to a large private chamber. Their hands were bound to opposite walls, allowing

t he m t o s ee e ac h o the r a cr os s t he r oo m, but n ot t ouc h, a nd t he n t he y we re l ef t a lon e. I t wa s o nl y a ft er

t he y e ac h e vo lv ed t o t he s ta te o f R ov H um , s tr on g, f er al , a nd d an ge ro us , t ha t t he y c ou ld b re ak t he ir

bonds and come together in a wild and sometimes violent joining. It was both a spiritual and physical

cer em on y, cul mi nati ng i n each p er so n att ai ni ng h is o r h er ?tr ue s el f?. O nce com pl et ed , t heir b on d w as f or

l if e. T he o nl y t hi ng t ha t c ou ld s ep ar at e t he t wo w as d ea th .

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T he t wo d an ce rs c on ti nu ed t o s pi n a ro un d t he b al lr oo m i n h is d re am , b ut s ti ll J os h c ou ld n ot m ak e o ut t he

f ace o f h is p ar tn er . S he w ou ld t ur n t ow ar d h im f or a m om en t, g iv in g h im t an tali zi ng g li mp ses o f f ul l l ip s,

s pa rk li ng e ye s a nd g ol de n h ai r, b ut n ev er e no ug h f or hi m t o r ec og ni ze h er . A s h is d es ir e f or h er g re w t o

t he p oi nt o f n o r et ur n, s he w as p ul led away f ro m h im . H e r oared h is o ut rage, v io lent ly s tr ai ni ng again st t he

a rm s t ha t h el d h im ba ck. H e de spe ra te ly s tr ai ne d t o wa tc h he r p rog re ss a s s he wa s f or ci bl y l ed o ut of t he

r oo m. J us t b ef or e s he w as p us he d t hr ou gh t he d oo r l ea di ng h er a wa y, s he l oo ke d o ve r h er s ho ul de r,

f rant ical ly s earchi ng f or h im . H er h ai r, n ow i n w il d d is ar ray m om en tari ly m ov ed away f ro m h er f ace, andh e f in al ly s aw w ho s he w as .

R ec og ni ti on r ip pe d t hr ou gh J os h i n s ho ck w ave a ft er s ho ck w av e, w ak in g h im u p t o a p ai nf ul s ta te o f

a ro us al . S we at p ou re d d ow n h is b od y. H e s tr ug gl ed t o g ul p i n d ee p b re at hs o f a ir . D en ia l r os e u p i n h im

i mm ed iately as t he i mp li cati on o f h is d ream f ul ly h it h im . H e k new t hat t hi s r ev er ie cou ld n ot b e i gn or ed .

I n h is w or ld , d re am s w er e r ev er ed f or t he ir m ea ni ng a nd f ut ur e i mp li ca ti on s. I f t ha t w as t he c as e i n t hi s

i ns ta nc e, i t c ha ng ed e ve ry th in g. H e k ne w o f o nl y o ne w ay t o v er if y t he t ru th o f h is d re am , a nd h e w as n? t

s ur e i f t he o th er p er so n i nv ol ve d w oul d e as il y a gr ee t o i t.

L ooki ng a t t he c loc k be si de hi s b ed, h e s aw th at i t wa s f ive o? cl oc k. He woul d be me eti ng wi th He le n i none hour . He woul d dwe ll o n t he me ani ng of hi s dr ea m l at er . F or now he ha d t o c onc ent ra te on hi s

mission.

Helen entered the lab at exactly six, looking stiff and unrelenting. Josh smiled wolfishly as anticipation

cou rs ed t hr ou gh h im . H e alw ay s d id l ik e a g oo d chall en ge.

3

H el en w al ke d i nt o t he l ab , a nd i mm ed ia te ly s pi ed J os h. S he s to pp ed s ho rt a nd s co wl ed a t h im . N o

m an h ad a r igh t t o l oo k s o g oo d, e sp ec ia ll y t hi s e ar ly i n t he m or ni ng . H e w as n? t ha nd so me i n t het radi ti on al m ov ie s tar s or t o f w ay , y et s om et hi ng abo ut h im p ul led at h er w henever s he w as n ear h im . T hi s

d id n ot i mp ro ve h er m oo d, h ow ev er . S he f el t g ru mp y a nd o ut o f s or ts , w hi le h e l oo ke d c al m, a lm os t

s erene, and q ui t e p ut t og et her .

? Go od m or ni ng , D r. M at th ew s. D id y ou s le ep w el l? ? h e a sk ed w it h s uc h a p le as an t s mi le a nd e ve n t on e

t hat i t g rated again st h er n er ve end in gs .

?Fi ne, t hank s, ? s he l ied, g ri tt in g h er t eeth .

No, she definitely did not sleep well. Her night was filled with endless thoughts of a muscle bound, rough

f ac ed m an , w it h i nt en se b lu e e ye s w ho h ad l ef t h er a ng ry , a nd a ch in g f or s om et hi ng s he d id n? t w an t t o

a dm it . S he t os se d a nd t ur ne d m os t o f t he n ig ht , t hi nk in g a bo ut t he w ay J os h h ad l oo ke d a t h er i n t he

d oo rw ay l as t n ig ht . W he n h e r ea ch ed o ut t o h er , s he h ad w an te d t o f li ng h er se lf f or wa rd i nt o h is t ou ch .

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O nl y t hr ou gh s he er w il l h ad s he m an ag ed t o t el l h im n o. A nd t ha t h ad b ee n b ar el y m or e t ha n a br ea th of

a ir f or ce d f rom h er l ip s.

D e sp it e t he f ac t t ha t h e h ad a ct ua ll y p ul le d b ac k a nd n ot t ou ch ed h er l as t n ig ht , H el en ?s d re am s h ad

been filled with just the opposite. In her reveries, she hadn?t said no, and his hand had reached its

d es ti nati on , cov er in g h er b reas t w it h i ts w ar mt h, f on dl in g i t t o t he p oi nt t hat h er k nees b uckl ed . S he

w ou ld h av e s li d t o t he g ro un d i f J os h h ad n?t g rabb ed h er aro un d t he w ai st , s up po rt in g h er again st h im ,t he n l ea ne d h er ba ck ove r h is a rm . H er ba ck a rc he d, a nd h er br ea st s w er e t hr us t f or wa rd a s i f i n o ff er ing

t o h im . H is h ea d d es ce nd ed , a nd h is m ou th c ov er ed w he re h is h an d h ad b ee n, s uc kl in g h er t hr ou gh h er

s hi rt . E ac h pul l o f hi s l ips c au se d a m at chi ng a che t o pul se a t t he ve ry c or e of he r. She ha d a wo ke n f rom

t he d re am , b re at hl es s, s we at d re nc he d a nd f ul l o f n ee d. A ft er t ha t, t ry in g t o s le ep h ad b ee n u se le ss . S he

just lay in her bed until morning, her thoughts going back again and again to Dr. Joshua Trem.

Ev er s in ce w ha t s he c al le d h er ? co ll eg e m is ta ke ?, n o m an h ad a ff ec te d h er t o t hi s e xt en t. S he h ad n? t l et

a ny on e g et c lo se e no ug h t o. I t h ad b ee n h er j un io r y ea r i n c ol le ge a nd s he a ct ua ll y h ad a b oy fr ie nd . H e

w as g oo d l oo ki ng , f un ny , a nd s ee me d t o t hi nk s he w as s om et hi ng s pe ci al . H e h ad b ee n o ne o f h er f ir st ,

a nd t he y h ad j us t f in is he d m ak in g l ov e t o c el eb ra te t he f ac t t ha t t he s ci en ce p ra ct ic al t he y h ad w or ke d o ntogether was finally finished.

T ha t w as b ef or e s he ?d f ou nd o ut t he t rut h. He ?d u se d he r t o c om pl et e t he p roj ec t b ec au se s he w as ? the

s ma rt es t p er so n i n t he c la ss .? A nd i f t ha t w as n? t b ad e no ug h, a ft er h e? d b ed de d h er , h e c on fe ss ed w it h a

c rue l s mi le t ha t ? I s lept wi th you out of c ur ios it y. All m y fr ie nds sa id you? d be a bor e in be d, but I

w an te d t o s ee f or m ys el f. A la s, t he y w er e r ig ht . Y ou ?r e l ik e i ce i n t he s ac k, H el . Y ou r ea ll y s ho ul d w or k

o n t hat. ?

T ho se w er e t he l as t wo rd s h e e ve r s pok e t o he r. Sh e h ad ma de a m is ta ke i n j udg me nt , l ea rn ed a l es son ,

a nd m ov ed o n w it h h er l if e. S he b ec am e s ma rt er , a nd m or e d et er mi ne d n ot t o m ak e t he s am e e rr or

again.

S o w hy w as i t t ha t, d es pi te h er e xp er ie nc e, J os h m er el y h ad t o s au nt er i nt o h er l if e w it h e ye s t ha t

s ee me d t o of fe r he r e ve ryt hi ng , a nd a bod y t ha t m ad e he r w an t t o t ak e i t, a nd s he r es pond ed l ike a l us ty

t ee na ge r? S he s ho ul d b e w or ri ed a bo ut h er j ob , h er p os it io n o n t he t ea m, a nd t hi s m an ?s a bi li ty t o r ui n

h er c ar ee r. I ns te ad , h er g az e k ep t s tr ay in g t o t he s nu g, f ad ed j ea ns h e w or e, a nd t he s te el b lu e T -s hi rt

w hi ch m ol ded aro un d h is m us cu lar chest . H er t rait or ou s m in d k ep t p layi ng h er d ream f ro m t he n ig ht

before, over and over.

C of fe e. S he n ee de d c of fe e? no w. S he w en t o ve r t o t he c of fe em ak er a nd p ou re d h er se lf a c up . I t w as

just brewed, she could tell by the delicious smell. Her first sip of it, black and strong, improved her moods li gh tl y. S he clo sed h er eyes f or a m om en t, s av or in g t ho se f ir st f ew s wall ow s, w hi le s tr ug gl in g t o g et

herself under control.

J os h c le ar ed h is t hr oa t, a nd h er g az e s na pp ed ba ck t o h im .

? Uh -- re ad y t o g et s ta rt ed ?? J os h a sk ed i n a v oi ce t ha t s ou nd ed s om ew ha t s tr an gl ed . S he n ot ic ed h e

wa s s ta ri ng a t he r t hr oa t wi th a l oo k t ha t c ou ld o nl y b e de sc ri be d a s h ungr y. H is e ye s s lowl y r os e t o m ee t

h er s, a nd s he f el t a j ol t f ro m t he e le ct ri ci ty t ha t z in ge d b et we en t he m. S ha ki ng h er h ea d t o c le ar i t, s he

m ov ed f ar th er a wa y f ro m h im a nd t ri ed t o c on ce nt ra te o n t he m at te r a t h an d. A ft er a m in ut e s he w as a bl e

t o p ul l h er self t og et her . S he ado pt ed h er i ci es t d em eano r.

?I w il l d ef in it el y b e r eady t o d is cu ss y ou r s o- call ed i ss ue w it h p ro to co l, o nce y ou f ul fi ll a r eq uest o f

m in e, ? s he s t at ed .

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? Oh ? An d w ha t m ig ht t ha t b e? ? he a ske d.

? Be fo re I s ha re a ny o f t he d ai ly r es ul ts a nd p ro ce du re o f P ro je ct P ho en ix w it h y ou , I w an t a f ul l

accounting of your background, past projects and qualifications,? she demanded, meeting his gaze

without flinching. Surprise, followed quickly by anger darkened Josh?s expression.

?Wh at ! Y ou can ?t b e s er io us . W hy w ou ld y ou w an t t hi s i nf or mati on ?? h e ask ed , n ar ro wi ng h is eyes

suspiciously.

? I? m t ot al ly s er io us . Y ou ?v e a cc us ed t he r es t o f t he t ea m a nd I w it h p ro ce du ra l m is co nd uc t. T ha t? s a

s er io us c ha rge . I f y ou w an t m e t o c oo pe ra te f ul ly w it h y ou r i nv es ti ga ti on , t he n f ir st I n ee d t o k no w t ha t

you ?r e who a nd w ha t you c la im t o be .?

S he s aw J os h? s j aw t ig ht en , a s h e r ea li ze d s he h ad c he ck m at ed h im . H is g az e l oc ke d w it h h er s i n

chall en ge. S he b ol dl y r et ur ned h is s tare, r ef us in g t o b ack d ow n.

?Yo u k no w I cou ld r ef us e and s ti ll g o f or ward w it h t hi s i nv es ti gati on w it ho ut y ou ?? h e ask ed .

? Yo u c ou ld , b ut I d on ?t t hi nk y ou ?d f in d t he p eo pl e o n m y t ea m a ny m or e c oo pe ra ti ve t ha n m e, e xc ep t,

o f c ou rs e, f or D ru ,? s he r et ur ne d w it h a s ac ch ar in e s mi le .

J os h s il ent ly s tu di ed h er f or a m om ent . Th en h is f ac e c ha ng ed . T he h os ti li ty a nd a ng er i n h is e ye s w as

r ep laced b y adm ir at io n and s om et hi ng els e s he d id n?t l et h er self exami ne t oo clo sely .

?Fi ne. I ?l l h av e t he i nf or mati on f or y ou at o ur n ex t m eeti ng t om or ro w m or ni ng , s ix a.m ., ? h e s ai d.

? I d on ?t t hi nk s o. I c an ?t n eg le ct m y e xp er im en ts t wo d ay s- -? s he s ta rt ed t o a rg ue , b ut J os h i nt er ru pt edhe r wi th a wa ve of hi s ha nd.

? Ha ve s om eo ne e ls e d o i t. T om or row a t s ix a .m . T hi s i s t he t im e t ha t w il l b e c on ve ni en t f or m e f ro m

now o n. I i ns is t, o r w e ha ve no de al ,? h e c ount er ed w it h a h ar d s mi le .

? Fi ne ,? s he s ai d t hr ou gh g ri tt ed t ee th . H el en h ad l ea rn ed e ar ly o n t ha t t he re w er e t im es t o c on ce de a nd

t im es t o p us h t he i ss ue . N ow w as n ot t he t ime t o pus h i t. Sh e h ad won t he ba tt le . Tha t w as e nough f or

now.

? Se e y ou i n t he m or ni ng , D r. M at th ew s, ? J os h s ai d. H e t ur ne d a wa y f ro m h er i n d is mi ss al , a s i f s he w er eno longer in his thoughts.

? S ix a .m . s ha rp , D r. T re m. ?

A s H el en l ef t h im , h er m in d w or ke d f ur io us ly . S he n ee de d t o f in d o ut a s m uc h a s p os si bl e b ef or e

t om or ro w. S he n ee de d a ns we rs , a nd s he k ne w j us t w ho t o t al k t o.

? Ph il li p, I n ee d t hi s d at a b y t hi s a ft er no on . C an y ou d o i t? ? H el en a sk ed t he m an s it ti ng b eh in d t he d es k

in his small office.

D r. P hi ll ip M os hi e w as w hat m an y p er ceiv ed t o b e t he s tereot yp ical s ci en ti st . H e w as i n h is l at e t hi rt ies,

w it h a s ma ll f ra me , s ho rt s ta tu re , a nd b al di ng h ea d. H e e ve n h ad s ma ll , r ou nd , t hi ck g la ss es . I t w as l ik e

s om eo ne h ad d ra wn a c om ic b oo k p ic tu re o f a s ci en ti st a nd P hi ll ip c am e t o l if e, y et H el en h el d n o r eg ar d

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f or t he i mpo rt anc e of hi s a ppe ar an ce . She wa s j us t gl ad t o ha ve hi m o n he r t ea m.

?N o p ro bl em . I s ho ul d a bl e t o p ut t he i nf or ma ti on t og et he r b y t he n, ? h e a ss ur ed h er w it h a w ar m s mi le .

?I s ho ul d h av e every th in g t og et her b y l un ch t im e. I ?l l s ee y ou t hen?? h e ask ed .

?Su re,? s he r ep li ed w it h a f ri en dl y s mi le.

H el en s pent t he m or ni ng com pl et in g h er o bs er vati on s heet s and r ecor di ng h er r es ul ts . B y l un ch t im e, s he

w as r ea dy f or a b re ak . W he n s he go t b ac k t o h er o ff ic e, P hi ll ip w as a lr ea dy w ai ti ng w it h l un ch i n o ne

h an d a nd p ap er s i n t he ot he r.

?Yo u?re n ot g oi ng t o b el ieve w hat I f ou nd , H el en .?

P hi ll ip w as t he o nl y o ne o f h er c ow or ke rs s he a ll ow ed t o c al l h er b y h er f ir st n am e.

? Bu t f ir st l et ?s e at , I ?m s ta rv in g, ? h e s ai d.

? Me t oo . W ha t d id y ou b ri ng t od ay ?? s he a sk ed a s h er s to ma ch g ro wl ed l ou dl y.

? My s en ti me nt s e xa ct ly ,? h e s ai d w it h a c on sp ir at or ?s s mi le , a s h e s et e ve ry th in g o ut o n h er d es k. S he

c ou ld t el l f ro m t he b ag h e c ar ri ed t ha t h e h ad g ot te n s om et hi ng d el ic iou s f ro m t he c am pu s c an te en . H e

t oo k o ut h ot r oa st b ee f o n r ye w it h s pi cy m us ta rd , c ru nc hy d il l p ic kl es , s te am in g h ot f re nc h f ri es , a nd o f

c our se t he o bl ig at or y d ie t s oda f or h er , a nd r eg ul ar s oda f or hi m. N eve r on e t o f or ge t d es se rt , h e h ad

bought thick, dense, fudge brownies for both of them. Though he was very thin, he always managed to

e at l ik e a h or se , r el is hi ng e ac h b it e. T he y d ev ou re d t he ir f oo d, e ac h o f t he m q ui et a s t he y e nj oy ed t he

f ea st b ef or e t he m. A ft er wa rd s, t he y c le ar ed t he d es k, s pr aw le d o ut o n h er c ou ch , a nd l ai d t he ir h ea ds

back.

? Th at w as g re at ,? s he s ai d, u nb ut to ni ng t he f ir st t hr ee b ut to ns o f h er b lo us e s o t ha t s he c ou ld b re at h a

little easier over her full stomach.

? It s ur e w as ,? h e s ai d, l oo se ni ng h is t ie .

?Th an ks f or b ri ng in g i t, ? s he s ai d.

?M y p le as ur e, ? h e s ai d w it h a s ig h.

N e it he r o f t he m s ee me d c ap ab le o f m or e t ha n a f ew w or ds , a s t he y f el t t he i ne vi ta bl e s le ep in es s t ha tc am e a ft er e at in g a b ig m ea l s te al o ve r t he m. T he y d ec id ed t o c lo se t he ir e ye s s im ul ta ne ou sl y. T ha t w as

t he s ce ne t ha t l ay b ef or e J os h m om en ts l at er , a s h e e nt er ed H el en ?s o ff ic e a nd s of tl y c lo se d t he d oo r

behind him.

R ag e l ik e h e h ad n ev er f el t b ef or e c ra sh ed i nt o h im a s h e s aw H el en a nd P hi ll ip s tr et ch ed o ut o n t he

cou ch . T hey b ot h h ad con tent ment w ri tt en all o ver t heir f aces , and i f P hi ll ip ?s l oo sened t ie and h er

u nb ut to ned b lo us e w er e any i nd icat or , h e k new exact ly w hy . H is g aze t oo k i n t he w ho le o ff ice, n ot

m is si ng h er d es k clear ed o f every th in g. T hat o nl y con fi rm ed i t. T he t wo o f t hem w er e l ov er s, and t hey

h ad j us t f in is hed eng ag in g i n s om e p rett y i nt en se l ov e p lay r ig ht h er e i n h er o ff ice. T hat t ho ug ht s en t

ano th er s harp j ol t o f ang er t hr ou gh h im .

H e l oo ked at P hi ll ip and h is m us cl es t ig ht en ed i n p reparati on f or b at tl e. H is h an ds cur led i nt o f is ts . H e

w id en ed h is s ta nc e, b al an ci ng h is b od y, a s i f w ai ti ng f or a n a tt ac k. A r ed h az e g la ze d o ve r h is e ye s, a nd

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o nl y o ne t ho ug ht f il le d h is h ea d a s he g la re d d ow n a t t he m an o n t he c ou ch . S HE I S M IN E. T ho ug h o nl y

h is m ind s ho ut ed i t, h e e mi tt ed a g ro wl l ow i n hi s t hr oa t.

H el en w as t he f ir st t o pi ck up t he s ou nd. H er e ye s op ene d a nd t he n w ide ne d i n s ur pr is e a s s he s aw h im

s tand in g o ver t hem. S he s to od u p q ui ck ly , f um bl in g w it h h er b ut to ns .

? Dr . T re m. W ha t a re y ou do in g he re ? I ?m s ur pr is ed t o s ee y ou . I t hou gh t w e w er en ?t s up po se d t o m ee tagain until tomorrow?? she babbled, trying to wake Phillip by inconspicuously nudging his leg with her

foot.

J os h? s g az e s wu ng t o h er a s s he s po ke , b ut h e s ai d n ot hi ng . S he m us t h av e s ee n s om et hi ng i n h is e ye s,

because she unconsciously tried to take a step back, running into the couch. Then, as if remembering

w ho s he w as , s he s qu ar ed h er s ho ul de rs , a nd r ai se d h er c hi n p ro ud ly .

? Is t he re s om et hi ng I c an d o f or yo u? ? s he a sk ed . S he g av e P hi ll ip o ne l as t k ic k, w hi ch f in al ly g ot hi s

attention.

? Wh at ? O w! W hy d id y ou d o t ha t H el -o h, u h, h el lo J os h, ? P hi ll ip s cu rr ie d t o hi s f ee t, t igh te ni ng h is t ie .

J os h s ai d n ot hi ng a s h e t ur ne d h is s to ny s ta re t o h im . H e g la re d f ie rc el y d ow n a t t he o th er m an , a nd

s om eh ow com mu ni cated h is t ho ug ht s v er y clear ly t o h im . P hi ll ip ?s eyes w id en ed , and t hen h e s ho ok h is

head in denial.

? He le n a nd I j us t f in is he d a bi g l un ch f ro m t he c ant ee n, a nd w er e r ec ov er ing f ro m o ur f ul l s to ma ch s on

t he c ou ch. So rr y I d idn? t s ave yo u a ny. I f I h ad know n you wo ul d be s topp ing by, I wo ul d ha ve br ough t

m or e, ? h e s ai d i n a r us h a s h e g at he re d h is t hi ng s t og et he r.

? He re ?s t ha t f il e y ou w an te d t o s ee , H el en . I ?l l j us t b e l ea vi ng n ow ,? P hi ll ip s ai d.

He g ot n o r es po ns e ho we ve r, a s h e w as pr ep ar in g t o l ea ve . He l ai d t he f il e on he r d es k, t he n t ur ne d

t ow ar ds t hem. H is eyes n ar ro wed s pecu lati vely . T he t wo o f t hem s tared i nt en tl y at each o th er ,

com pl et el y u naware o f h is exi st en ce. H e s hr ug ged h is s ho ul ders , w al ked o ut o f t he o ff ice, and q ui et ly

clo sed t he d oo r b eh in d h im .

? I a ske d y ou w ha t y ou w an te d, D r. T re m? ? H el en a ske d i n a voi ce t ha t s he wa nt ed t o s ound f ir m, b ut

w as l it tl e m or e t han a w hi sp er .

J os h cou ld n?t ans wer h er i mm ed iately , b ecau se h e w as s ti ll s tr ug gl in g t o g et h is b od y u nd er con tr ol . I t

w as di ff ic ul t f or h im , j us t l ik e a ll hi s k in d, t o s en d t he b ea st a wa y. H e c on ce nt ra te d o n r el ax ing o nem us cl e a t a t im e, a s P hi ll ip ?s w or ds r an g t ru e i n h is m in d. H e s hou ld h av e r ea li ze d t he t wo of t he m h ad

no t j us t m ad e l ove h er e. A s h e t oo k a d ee p c al mi ng b re at h, h e s ens ed t he a ir di d no t c ar ry t he s ce nt of

m at in g. I t w as f oo d- -r oast b eef w it h m us tard , f rench f ri es , and H el en . H is s en se o f s mell h ad n ev er f ai led

h im . H e f el t h is s ho ul ders l oo sen w it h r el ief. H is abi li ty t o t hi nk and s peak coh er en tl y s lo wl y r et ur ned.

? I j us t w an te d t o b ri ng y ou s om e o f t he p ap er wo rk y ou r eq ue st ed . I h ad t he u ni ve rs it y f ax i t o ve r

t oda y,? h e s ai d i n a v oi ce t ha t w as s ti ll t oo d ee p t o b e hi s no rm al on e.

O nc e t he f er al s id e t oo k c on tr ol o f hi m, i t w as d if fi cul t t o l et i t g o. U su al ly h is b od y w ou ld n ee d s om e s or t

o f p hy si cal r el ease t o d o s o, eit her t hr ou gh f ig ht in g i n b at tl e, o r m ak in g l ov e. N ei th er w as an o pt io n r ig ht

n ow , s o h e con cent rated o n cal mi ng h im self t hr ou gh b reat hi ng . I t w as a t echn iq ue all T an vi er an w ar ri or s

l ea rn ed . I t h el pe d c on tr ol t he r ag e t ha t s om et im es o ve rt oo k t he m i n t he h ea t o f b at tl e. T he p ro bl em w as ,

w it h e ac h b re at h h e t oo k; H el en ?s s ce nt s ur ro un de d h im . H e m ov ed a wa y f ro m h er , l ay in g t he p ap er s h e

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ha d br oug ht o n he r d es k. H e w as a bl e t o b re at he s li ght ly e as ie r w he n he w as n? t s o c lo se .

? I? ll b ri ng t he r es t o f t he p ap er s t o o ur m ee ti ng t om or ro w, ? h e s ai d, s ta rt in g t o t ur n b ac k t ow ar ds H el en

when the file Phillip left caught his eye.

?W hat ?s t hi s ?? J o sh as ked .

He r ea che d d ow n t o p ic k i t up , on ly t o ha ve He le n r us h ov er a nd gr ab i t be for e he c oul d.

? Oh no th in g m uc h. J us t s om e f igu re s I h ad P hi ll ip p ut t og et he r f or m e o n t he m os t r ec en t r at e o f c li ma te

c ha ng e, ? s he r es po nd ed , t uc ki ng t he f il e i n t he t op d ra we r o f h er d es k.

?Cl im at e s t ud y h as b een t he m aj or com po nent o f P ro ject P ho en ix , h as n?t i t??

? Ye s,? s he s ai d qui ckl y, gl ad t o g et t he s ub je ct a wa y f rom t he f il e. ? As I ?m s ur e yo u? re a wa re , t he

blame for global warming can be placed firmly as a result of human actions. Even the president has finally

adm it ted t hat t he eff ects f ro m h um an u se o f f os si l f uels h as l ed t o m uch o f t he h eat t rapp in g g reen ho us eg as es i n o ur a tm os ph er e. D o y ou r em em be r t ha t C li ma te A ct io n R ep or t t he U S i ss ue d t o t he U ni te d

Nations a few years back, discussing the effect of climate change over the next three decades?? she

asked.

?Of cou rs e, ? h e r es po nd ed aut om at ical ly , even t ho ug h h e h ad n ot act uall y r ead t he art icle.

?Th en y ou ?l l r ecal l t hat i t d is cu ss ed h ow , o ver t he n ex t t hi rt y y ears , t he d is ru pt io n o f s no w- fed w at er

s up pl ies, con ti nu in g h eat w av es , t he d is ap pear an ce all t og et her o f R ocky M ou nt ai n m eado ws and even

coast al m ar sh es w as v er y p os si bl e, ? s he s ai d, b ef or e con ti nu in g.

? Ye t o ur g ov er nm en t i s s ti ll t ak in g t he s ta nc e t ha t w e c an d o n ot hi ng a bo ut t he d am ag e d on e, t ha t w ejust have to prepare and plan for the worst. I agree we should plan for the worst. However, I also think

w e s ho ul d b e att em pt in g t o i mp ro ve t he s it uati on and at t he v er y l east , d is co nt in ue d oi ng t he t hi ng s, w hi ch

cau sed t he p ro bl em t o b eg in w it h, ? s he s ai d adamant ly . ?Un fo rt un at el y, I can ?t s to p t he w or ld f ro m

d ri vi ng c ar s r un o n f os si l f ue ls , b ut I c an a tt em pt t o c om e u p w it h w ay s t o c ou nt er ac t, a nd p os si bl y

r ev er se s om e o f t he d am ag e d on e. ?

J os h w at ch ed H el en p ac e t he r oo m, d is cu ss in g f ig ur es a nd s ta ti st ic s o ff t he t op o f h er h ea d. H er

i nt el li gence and d ed icat io n t o t hi s p ro ject w as adm ir ab le, and h is r es pect f or h er g rew. S om et hi ng els e

a ls o g re w a s h is e ye s w er e d ra wn t o t he s ed uc ti ve s wa y o f h er h ip s. H is p an ts s ud de nl y b ec am e

uncomfortably tight.

O n T an vi er a, cou rage and s pi ri t i n a w om an w as con si dered i mp or tant , and i nt el li gence w as p ri zed abo ve

a ll e ls e. A lt ho ug h m en o n h is p la ne t d id w an t t o f in d a m at e t he y w er e a tt ra ct ed t o, p hy si ca l b ea ut y w as

o nl y s ec on da ry t o t ha t a tt ra ct io n. F in di ng a w om an w ho c ou ld t hi nk a nd e xp re ss h er i de as i n a n

intelligent, articulate manner was considered admirable, beautiful and sexy.

B ef or e c om in g t o t hi s t im e a nd t hi s p la ne t, J os h h ad g on e t hr ou gh M in d S et , a c om pu te r a id ed m em or y

and indoctrination system, which committed to a person?s memory all the information a time traveler

w ou ld n ee d t o k no w a bo ut t he ir d es ti na ti on , i n a m at te r o f m in ut es . I t i nc lu de d a ll a sp ec ts o f a c er ta in

t im e, s uch as cul tu ral and l an gu ag e t rend s, p ol it ics and even s ocietal m or es . T he t echn iq ue h ad b een

d is co ve re d d ur in g t he l as t w or ld w ar o f 2 65 0, a nd e ve nt ua ll y b ec am e a s ta nd ar d t oo l u se d b y a ll t im e

travelers.

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J os h h ad b ee n s ho ck ed t o l ea rn a bo ut t he i mp or ta nc e p ut o n p hy si ca l b ea ut y i n H el en ?s t im e. P eo pl e

s eemed m or e con cern ed abo ut l oo ki ng and s tayi ng b eaut if ul t han t hey d id abo ut t he s tate o f t heir w or ld .

H e w as e sp ec ia ll y t ak en a ba ck b y w ha t w as c on si de re d t he s ta nd ar d o f b ea ut y f or w om en i n t hi s t im e.

The thinner the better, it seemed. Women who purposely attained underdeveloped, undernourished

bodies were revered and looked up to as role models for everything from health and beauty, to

r el at io ns hi ps and m or al s. T he f act t hat H el en h ad a w el l- develo ped, v ol up tu ou s b od y p leas ed h im

immensely, however, it was her courage, spirit, and most importantly her intelligence, which made theattraction so strong.

? So y ou s ee , t ha t? s w hy t he r es ul ts o f c li ma te c ha ng e a re a l ar ge p ar t o f t hi s p ro je ct ,? H el en f in is he d.

Though she was confident and self-assured in expressing her thoughts, her fingers were still nervously

fumbling with the buttons on her blouse.

T ha t e xp an se o f e xp os ed s ki n a t h er t hr oa t d re w J os h? s a tt en ti on . H e c ou ld n? t k ee p h is e ye s f ro m i t a s

h er h an ds f lu tt er ed a bo ut . S he t ri ed t o t ug t he b lo us e t og et he r. A no th er b ut to n c am e u nd on e. T he

l av en de r c ol or ed l ac e o f h er b ra s ud de nl y p ee ke d t hr ou gh . J os h s ti ff en ed a t t he s ig ht o f i t. T he h ar d w on

c al m h e h ad m an ag ed t o r eg ai n e ar li er c am e c ra sh in g d ow n a ro un d h im . H is g az e r os e t o m ee t H el en ?s .H e k ne w f ro m h er f ac e t ha t s he c ou ld s ee t he h un ge r b ur ni ng i n h is e ye s.

She froze, stretching her blouse tightly in her fingers, unknowingly loosening yet another button. Josh

s tr uggl ed n ot t o l ook dow n a t w ha t s he ha d e xpos ed now . He kn ew t ha t i t wou ld pus h hi m ove r t he

e dg e. Us ing t he di sc ipl ine he ha d l ea rne d a s a wa rr ior , h e m ana ge d not t o l ung e a t H el en. Not t o t ake he r

r ig ht t he re i n h er o ff ic e. H e e mi tt ed a g ro wl l ow i n h is t hr oa t a nd s lo wl y a dv an ce d on h er .

4

H el en c ou ld n? t m ov e. H er m in d s cr ea me d r un , r un , r un , b ut h er b od y w ou ld n? t c oo pe ra te w it h t ha tprimal instinct to escape. Josh looked like a tiger about to pounce. She took a step back, then another,

t he n a no th er u nt il s he h ad b ac ke d h er se lf a ga in st t he c ou ch a nd h er l eg s g av e w ay b en ea th h er . S he s li d

back on the seat only to have Josh drop down on his knees in front of her a second later.

? Ho ld s ti ll ,? h e s ai d g ru ff ly a s h e r ea ch ed o ut t ow ar ds h er .

H el en h el d h er se lf s ti ff ly i n pl ac e. H e g en tl y b ru sh ed he r f in ge rs ou t o f t he w ay a nd g ra sp ed he r bl ou se .

H e m ov ed c lo se r, n ud gi ng h er t hi gh s a pa rt a nd s li di ng b et we en t he m. S he s ta rt ed t o p an ic . H er e ye s

w id en ed and m et h is .

? E as y n ow , y aq ue sh , I ?m j us t g oi ng t o b ut to n y ou b ac k u p, t he n I ?l l m ov e a wa y, ? h e c ro on ed s of tl y,

t ry in g t o cal m h er w it h h is g en tl e w or ds .

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H e b en t h is h ea d, c on ce nt ra ti ng o n h er b ut to ns w hi le t al ki ng s of tl y t o h er , a nd h er p an ic s ub si de d. S he

s il en tl y s tu di ed t he s il ky t ex tu re o f h is h ai r. S he w an te d t o s tr ok e i t, f ee l i ts s of tn es s, b ut b ef or e s he c ou ld

e ve n c on te mp la te d oi ng s o, h e q ui ck ly r os e t o h is f ee t, a nd s tr od e a cr os s t he r oo m. H e f ac ed a wa y f ro m

h er . H is h and s w er e c le nc he d a nd h el d s ti ff ly b y h is s id es . A ft er a m om en t h e s wu ng a ro und , a nd h is

e ye s, n ow v oi d o f e mo ti on , m et h er s.

? I ?l l s ee y ou t om or ro w, D r. M at th ew s, ? h e s ta te d b ru sq ue ly , w al ki ng t o t he d oo r o f h er o ff ic e, a ndopening it.

H el en m an ag ed t o g et h er self u nd er con tr ol eno ug h t o s tand u p and s tr ai gh ten h er clo th in g.

? Of c ou rs e D r. T re m. A nd d on? t f or ge t t he r es t o f t ha t p ape r wo rk, ? s he c om ma nd ed.

J os h s to pp ed a nd s lo wl y t ur ne d a ro un d. H is g az e r an h un gr il y o ve r h er b od y. H is p er us al r ea ch ed h er

f ac e l as t a nd a f er al s mi le s pr ea d a cr os s h is l ip s.

?Do n?t w or ry abo ut t hat. I p lan o n g iv in g y ou every th in g y ou n eed. T hen y ou ?r e m in e, ? h e w ar nedbefore walking out of her office.

* * * *

T h en y ou ?r e m in e. T hen y ou ?r e m in e. J os h?s w or ds k ep t r un ni ng t hr ou gh H el en ?s h ead, h ou rs l at er i n

h er a pa rt me nt . S he w as t ry in g t o c on ce nt ra te o n t he f ig ur es P hi ll ip h ad g iv en h er . S he k ne w J os h

probably meant that after he gave her the paperwork she wanted, she would be obligated to work with

h im o n t hi s i nv es ti gati on , y et s he j us t cou ld n?t g et o ver t he f eeli ng h is w or ds h ad cau sed. E xcit em en t h ad

c ou rs ed t hr ou gh h er , a nd i ma ge o f t he t wo o f t he m m ak in g l ov e f la sh ed b ef or e h er e ye s.

W ha t w as i t a bo ut t hi s m an t ha t h ad h er s o d is tr ac te d? G ra nt ed h er e xp er ie nc e w it h m en h ad b ee nl im it ed , b ut s he h ad h er s mall s hare o f b oy fr iend s, m os t o f w ho m cam e i nt o h er l if e d ur in g col lege. Y et

no ne of he r be aus ha d m ad e h er f ee l t he w ay J os h di d. The ir c om pa ny h ad a lw ays be en s or t of on e

pleasant diversion after another, never leading to a true commitment of love.

De spi te t hi s, sh e kne w s he woul dn? t a ll ow he rs el f t o f al l f or J os h. She ha d t o ke ep i n mi nd t ha t he w as

n ot h er e t o h el p h er , h e w as h er e t o a na ly ze a nd m ak e p ub li c a ny d ef ic ie nc ie s s he m ig ht h av e, o r

n eg li ge nc e s he m ay h av e p er pe tu at ed o n t hi s p ro je ct . A s t ea m l ea de r, s he h ad t o r em em be r t ha t a ll t he

blame eventually would be laid at her feet. She needed to figure out a way to correct the situation, if

possible, before that happened.

S ti ll , i t h ad b ee n h ar d f or h er t o s ha ke t he f ee li ng a nd e ro ti c i ma ge s h is w or ds h ad b ro ug ht t o m in d,

esp eciall y aft er D ru app ro ached h er l at er t hat aft er no on . T he w om an cam e s au nt er in g u p, w it h h er u su al

? look a t m e? s wa y i n he r hi ps , wh ic h a lw ays s ee me d t o c at ch t he e ye of m or e t ha n one ma le on he r

team.

? So , d on ?t y ou w an t t o h ea r w ha t h ap pe ne d l as t n ig ht w it h J os h a nd I ?? s he p ra ct ic al ly p ur re d.

? No ,? H el en s ai d t hr ou gh g ri tt ed t ee th . W hy D ru t ho ug ht i t w as o ka y t o s ha re h er i nt im ac ie s w it h h er ,

she would never understand. The woman would initiate these conversations without any sign of

w il li ng ness o n H el en ?s p ar t. S he g ro an ed q ui et ly as D ru i gn or ed h er r es po ns e and con ti nu ed any way.

?W el l, h e s to pp ed b y a ro un d s ix . L ik e w e p la nn ed . I s er ve d t hi s g re at c hi ck en c ar bo na ra w it h s un d ri ed

t om at o p as ta, m ix ed g reen s w it h a cream y b al sami c v in eg ar d ress in g, and T ir am as u f or d es sert . I b ou gh t

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i t a ll a t t he n at ur al m ar ke t i n t ow n, r ea dy -t o- ea t. T he t we nt y- mi nu te d ri ve e ac h w ay w as w or th i t. O f

c our se , I o nl y ni bbl ed on a l it tl e s al ad . Yo u know how m en a re a bout wo me n w ho e at t oo mu ch, a nd a re

o ve rw ei -- we ll , w ha t I m ea n i s, u h- -? D ru s tu tt er ed a s s he r ea li ze d t ha t s he m ay h av e o ff en de d H el en .

? It ?s a ll r ig ht , D ru . I k no w h ow y ou f ee l. Y ou ?r e e nt it le d t o y ou r o wn p er sp ec ti ve , j us t l ik e m e. I ?m

ha ppy a nd c onf id ent wi th w ho I a m, a nd t he wa y I l ook, s o d on? t w or ry a bo ut e xpr es si ng y our ow n

f eeli ng s o f i ns ecur it y and s uch, ? H el en ass ur ed h er w it h a s weet s yr up y s mi le.

D ru g ave h er a p er pl ex ed f row n f or a m om en t, t he n s mi le d b ac k w it h r el ie f a nd c on ti nu ed t al ki ng . A s s he

d id s o, H el en cou ld n?t h el p w on deri ng i f t he w om an o nl y h ad i nt el li gence w hen i t cam e t o s ci en ce,

because in many other ways she seemed a little slow on the uptake.

? An yw ay s, w e ha d s om e w in e w it h o ur d inn er , a nd I m us t h av e g ot te n a l it tl e t ip sy , h av in g n ot e at en

mu ch t ha t da y, a nd t ol d J os h I n ee de d t o l ay dow n on my be d. N ow l is te n t o t hi s. Th e m an a ct ua ll y

picked me up, cradled me in his arms, and carried me to my bed. I couldn?t believe it! I mean the last

t im e s om eo ne c ar ri ed m e w as w he n I w as a s ma ll c hi ld. A nd i f y ou d on? t t hi nk t ha t g ot m e g oi ng , we ll ,

w ou ld n?t i t y ou ? T hi s s tr on g, h un ky g uy car ry in g y ou aro un d l ik e y ou w ei gh ed n ot hi ng at all ??

D ru w ent o n a nd o n, b ut H el en w as o nl y h al f l is te ni ng a s s he p ic tur ed J os h c ar ry in g h er i n h is a rm s. Th e

thought left her breathless.

Luc ki ly , on e of He le n? s o the r c ol le agu es c am e up t o D ru, a nd a ske d h er t o l oo k a t t he r es ul ts of one o f

h is exp er im en ts . T heir ?gi rl t al k? cam e t o an abr up t end .

? Do n? t w or ry , H el en , I ?l l t el l y ou t he r es t l at er . S or ry t o k ee p y ou w ai ti ng , b ut d ut y c al ls ,? D ru s ai d w it h

a g ri n a s s he s au nt er ed a wa y.

H el en s ig he d w it h r el ie f w he n t he w om an l ef t, b ut t he i ma ge s he h ad c re at ed o n t op o f h er a lr ea dy i nt en sei ma ge s, w as d if fi cu lt t o i gn or e. S om eh ow s he m an ag ed t o ge t i t u nd er c on tr ol b y k ee pi ng b us y t he r es t o f

t he d ay . S he i mm er sed h er self i n check in g and r ecor di ng o bs er vati on s o f h er r ecen t p lant adapt at io n

exp er im en t. S he w as m on it or in g h ow , j us t l ik e h um an m et ab ol is m, p lant s w er e abl e t o ?metabo li ze? s om e

o f t he t ox ic c he mi ca ls i n t he a ir , f il te r t he m o ut , a nd r el ea se c le an a ir . S he k ne w c er ta in pl an ts , l ik e t he

c ot to nw oo d t re e o r t he r ub be r p la nt , w er e b et te r a t t hi s t ha n o th er s. H er c ur re nt s tu dy c on ce nt ra te d o n

t hese s up er air clean in g p lant s and t heir r es po ns e t o i ncreas ed l ev el s o f p ol lu tant s i n t he atm os ph er e. S he

w as als o t es ti ng t he t heor y s om e s ci en ti st s h el d, t hat cer tain p lant s are evo lv in g i n r es po ns e t o h ig her

l ev el s o f t ox in s i n t he air .

T hi s w as f as ci na ti ng w or k f or h er . S im pl y p ut , s he l ov ed w ha t s he d id f or a l iv in g. A s s tr an ge a nd o dd a sh er f am il y t hou gh t i t w as , f or he r t hi s w as a d re am p ro fe ss io n, a nd n or ma ll y he r m in d w as o ne h und re d

percent into it. Yet later that night, as she sat in her apartment looking over Phillip?s statistics, she just

c ou ld n? t k ee p t he m s tr ai gh t i n h er h ea d. S he k ne w t ha t s he h ad t o ha ve s om e a mm un it io n t o c on fr on t

J os h w it h t om or ro w, b ut w as n? t a bl e t o p ut i t a ll t og et he r.

T he n um be rs b lu rr ed t og et he r f or t he f if ti et h t im e. S he s hu t t he f il e a nd d ec id ed t o t ak e a b re ak . S he h ad

been so wound up from today that she had forgotten to eat when she came home, but as she noticed the

d el ic io us s me ll o f p ot r oa st a nd p ot at oe s c om in g f ro m t he k it ch en , s he w en t t o c he ck o n d in ne r. S he h ad

u se d t he c ro ck -p ot , h er f av or it e c oo ki ng t oo l, t o m ak e d in ne r t ha t d ay .

He le n s er ve d h er se lf s om e p ot r oa st a nd p ot at oe s, a s w el l a s a s ma ll s al ad s he h ad t hr ow n t oge th er . Sh e

s at do wn a t h er l it tl e f ou r- se at t ab le w it h P hi ll ip ?s f il e, a nd a ga in t ri ed t o w or k w hi le s he a te . W he n t he

n um bers s om eh ow k ep t r ef or mi ng t hems el ves i nt o t he s hape o f J os h?s f ace, s he s lamm ed t he f il e clo sed

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wi th a gr owl a nd ga ve up. S he f ini sh ed he r di nn er , c le ane d up a nd g ot r ea dy t o go t o s le ep. As s he

c li mbe d i nt o be d, s he s aw t ha t i t w as a lr ea dy t en p. m. , but s he di dn? t f ee l t he l ea st bi t t ir ed.

S he l ay i n t he d ar k f or t he n ex t h ou r w it h he r t ho ugh ts bo un ci ng ba ck a nd f or th b et we en P hi ll ip ?s f il e a nd

J os h. S he b ol te d u p i n b ed a s s he s ud de nl y r em em be re d s om et hi ng s he h ad r ea d. S he t ur ne d t he l am p o n

and g rabb ed t he f il e f ro m t he n ig ht st an d. A ft er l oo ki ng at t he s ecti on s he w as i nt er es ted i n, s he j um ped

o ut of b ed , gr ab be d h er br ie fc as e a nd pu ll ed o ut a no th er f il e. S he s pr ea d b ot h o n h er b ed a nd c om pa re dt hem. W hen s he s aw t hat t he n um bers f ro m t he f il e i n h er b ri ef case d id n?t m at ch t he n um bers P hi ll ip h ad

g iv en h er , s he k new s he w as o nt o s om et hi ng .

Ta ki ng ou t a t hi rd f il e, s he a ls o l ai d t ha t o n t he b ed be si de t he ot he rs . S he c omp ar ed t ha t o ne t o t he ot he r

t wo a nd f oun d t he p at te rn s he h ad e xp ec te d. A s mug s mi le s pr ea d a cr os s h er f ac e a s s he r ea d a nd

r er ea d t he n um be rs a ga in . S he h ad t he a mm un it io n s he n ee de d t o f ac e J os h t om or ro w. S he p ut

every th in g away and cli mb ed i nt o b ed again , k no wi ng s he w ou ld s leep a l ot s ou nd er w it h t he i nf or mati on

s he h ad j us t d is co ve re d. A s s he t ur ne d o ff t he l ig ht s a nd c lo se d h er e ye s, s he n ev er s aw t he f ig ur e o ut si de

her window peering in with great interest before quietly slipping away. She fell asleep quickly, dreaming

o f a h an ds om e w ar ri or car ry in g h er away i nt o t he s un set.

H el en w ok e u p t he n ex t m or ni ng l oo ki ng f or wa rd t o h er m ee ti ng w it h J os h. S he h ad f or ce d a ll w ayw ar d

t hou gh ts t o t he ba ck o f he r m in d a nd f el t v er y i n c on tr ol of h er se lf a ga in . S he k ne w s he h ad s om et hi ng t o

h el p de fe nd h er p os it ion a s t ea m l ea de r, a nd w as pr epa re d f or a ba tt le . W ha t s he ha dn? t be en pr ep ar ed

f or w as f resh b rewed cof fee w it h r eal cr eam, f l ak y cro is sant s, cheese d an is h, and j ui cy , s weet

s tr aw be rr ie s. A s s he e nt er ed J os h? s o ff ic e, s he c ou ld n? t g et o ve r t he s pr ea d h e h ad p ut o ut f or t he m.

? I wa nt t o ma ke t hi s me et ing a s pl ea sa nt a s pos si bl e f or bot h of us ,? J os h s ai d wi th a s hr ug whe n s he

looked at him questioningly.

?I?ll j us t h av e cof fee, ? s he s ai d w it ho ut emo ti on , t ur ni ng away f ro m h im t o p ul l o ut h er p ap er wo rk , andplace it on his desk. She went to the coffee maker and poured herself a cup, adding a generous dollop of

cream . S he cou ld n?t i gn or e every p leas ur e h e o ff ered. T hat t ho ug ht l ed t o ano th er , and s he cou gh ed

l ou dl y a s s he a lm os t c ho ke d o n h er f is t s ip o f c of fe e.

P ul li ng h er self t og et her, s he t ur ned t ow ar d J os h, o nl y t o f in d h im s pr aw led o ut o n t he cou ch , check in g o ut

and m un ch in g o n t he g oo di es h e b ro ug ht , w it h l it tl e i nt er es t i n h er o r h er cou gh in g f it . S he clear ed h er

t hr oa t l oud ly , b ut s ti ll g ot n o r es po ns e f ro m h im , a s h e s av or ed a s tr aw be rr y. T he s ig ht o f h is m ou th

n ibb li ng a nd s uc ki ng l ig ht ly o n t he f ru it c au se d a r ea ct ion f ro m t he t op o f h er h ea d t o t he t ip s o f h er t oe s.

T he f act t hat h e w as enj oy in g i t s o m uch m ad e s om et hi ng clench t ig ht ly i ns id e o f h er . S he w at ch ed h im

s il en tl y, u nabl e t o l oo k away, u nt il h e f in al ly cau gh t t he l as t b it e w it h h is t on gu e and chewed i t s lo wl y. S hepulled her gaze from his mouth to his eyes, and felt a shock of awareness run through her. His hot,

k no wi ng s tare m et h er s.

T he y h el d e ac h o th er ?s e ye s f or a m om en t. H er s w id en ed w it h a wa re ne ss a nd h is h ea te d u p b y t he

s ec on d. S om eh ow s he m an ag ed t o b re ak c on ta ct a nd a br up tl y t ur ne d a wa y f ro m h im . S he w al ke d b ac k

t o hi s d es k, t ook a q ui ck s ip o f c of fe e, a lm os t b ur ni ng he r m ou th i n t he pr oc es s, a nd p ic ke d up on e o f t he

f il es s he h ad b ro ug ht w it h h er . I f s he di dn ?t g et do wn t o b us in es s i mm ed ia te ly , s he kn ew s he w ou ld b e i n

t ro ub le. F acin g h im w it h h er p ap er s, s he d ov e r ig ht i n.

?My f ig ur es and t he com pu ter?s d on ?t m at ch u p, ?

? Wh at d o y ou m ea n t he f ig ur es d on ?t m at ch u p? ? J os h a sk ed , s us pi ci on c re ep in g i nt o h is v oi ce . H e

immediately sat up.

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H el en w ai te d f or h im t o f ini sh p ic ki ng o ut w ha t h e w an te d a nd s it d ow n, t he n s he h el pe d h er se lf . S he

t oo k a b ut te ry c ro is sa nt , s om e s tr aw be rr ie s, a nd o ne o f t he d ec ad en t l oo ki ng c he es e d an is h. O th er t ha n

a t t he d es k, t he c ou ch w as t he o nl y p la ce t o s it . S in ce J os h h ad p la nt ed h im se lf s qu ar el y i n t he m id dl e o f

i t, s he pl ac ed h er f ood on t he c of fe e t abl e i n f ront of hi m, t he n w ent t o ge t t he de sk c ha ir. She l if te d i t,

brought it over to the coffee table, and placed it directly across from him.

? Co uc h n ot c om fo rt ab le e no ug h f or y ou ?? h e a sk ed w it h a m is ch ie vo us t wi nk le i n h is e ye s, a s h e t oo k abite of strawberry. She watched transfixed, as some juice escaped his mouth and ran slowly from his lips.

K ee pi ng h is g az e l oc ke d w it h he rs , h e c au gh t i t q ui ck ly w it h h is t on gu e, t he n s uc ke d o n t he s tr aw be rr y t o

prevent anymore juice from coming out. She struggled to tamp down the jolt of awareness that coursed

t hr ou gh h er . L oo ki ng away f ro m h im , h el ped a l it tl e. C ou ld n?t t he g uy eat a s tr aw berr y w it ho ut s av or in g i t

q ui te s o m uch? S he con cent rated o n s pr eadi ng b ut ter o n h er cro is sant , u nt il s he cal med d ow n, t hen

replied to his question.

? Th e c ou ch i s a l it tl e t oo c oz y f or m e, ? s he s ai d, i gn or in g t he f ac t t ha t h is s mi le w id en ed t o w ol fi sh

proportions.

H is t ea si ng s mi le d ro pp ed t o a s ho ck ed l oo k h ow ev er , w he n s he o pe ne d h is f il e a nd i gn or ed h im a s s he

ate.

? Wh at a re y ou d oi ng ?? h e a sk ed .

? Uh, I? m looki ng ove r the f il e you jus t ga ve me ?? s he s ai d a s i f he ha d no br ai n c el ls le ft , be fore

continuing to read.

T ho ugh H el en s ta rt ed s ca nn in g t he f il e a ga in , t he f ac t t ha t J os h w as s te am ing m ad w as n? t l os t o n h er .

Sh e a ll owe d he rs el f a l it tl e s mi rk . He h ad w ant ed he r t o e at , s o s he w as e at ing . J us t be ca us e s he w as n? t

g iv in g h im h er u tm os t att en ti on w hi le d oi ng s o, w as j us t t oo b ad .

? I d on ?t t hi nk s o, ? h e s ai d, s ur pr is in g h er b y s na ki ng h is h an d a cr os s t he t ab le . H e t oo k t he f il e f ro m h er

before she could respond, closed it, and placed it on the couch beside him.

?Wh at ?s t he p ro bl em , J os h?? H el en ask ed t hr ou gh cl en ch ed t eeth , b ar el y con tr ol li ng t he u rg e t o s tand

u p a nd l ea ve .

? No p ro bl em , H el en . A nd I ?m g la d w e? re o n a f ir st n am e b as is n ow ,? h e s ai d w it h a g lo at in g s mi rk t ha t

m ir ro re d t he o ne s he h ad o nl y a m om en t a go .

He le n c oun te d t o t en i n h er he ad, t he n r el ea se d t he br ea th s he ha d be en ho ldi ng. He a nd s he bot h

r ea liz ed tha t s he coul d no l onge r as k him t o c al l he r by he r la st na me when s he ha d jus t ca lle d him by his

f ir st . S he w ou ld j us t h av e t o l iv e w it h i t, f or no w.

? Wh y d id y ou t ak e t he f il e? ? s he a sk ed , v er y p ro ud o f h er se lf f or m an ag in g t o k ee p h er v oi ce c al m.

? Be ca us e i t? s not n ic e t o r ea d w he n y ou? re e at in g wi th s om eone e ls e. A ls o, I ?d l ik e t o ge t t o kn ow yo u

better before we continue with the business at hand. Why don?t you tell me a little bit about yourself

w hi le w e e at ?? h e a sk ed s it ti ng b ac k o n t he c ou ch , w hi le c he wi ng o n a d an is h. H e w ai te d w it h a n

e xp ec ta nt l oo k on h is f ac e f or h er t o s pe ak .

H el en k ne w s he w as b ei ng r ud e. T ho ug h s he t ri ed t o a lw ay s s pe ak h er m in d, w as v er y c om pe ti ti ve , a nd

d id n?t com mu ni cate w el l w it h m an y p eo pl e, s he h ad n ev er act ed q ui te s o o bn ox io us ly t o any on e b ef or e.

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T he m an j us t r ub be d h er t he w ro ng w ay . S he c ou ld n? t h el p i t.

Sh e c oul d r ef us e hi m, t ake he r f il es a nd j us t w al k ou t t he n a nd t he re , b ut s he n ee de d t o s ta y. Sh e ha d t o

f ind ou t w ha t i nf or ma ti on J os h h ad t ha t m ig ht he lp h er f ig ur e ou t w ha t w as g oi ng on . I f s he l ef t n ow , he

would conduct the investigation without her. She sighed loudly, then spoke.

? Fi ne . W ha t w ou ld y ou l ik e t o k no w a bo ut m e? ? s he a sk ed b ef or e t ak in g a no th er b it e o f c ro is sa nt . I tw as s o f laky t hat i t m el ted i n h er m ou th , l if ti ng h er m oo d s li gh tl y.

I s y ou r s ki n s o c re am y s mo ot h a ll o ve r? A s ex y m al e v oi ce a sk ed i ns id e h er h ea d.

H el en ?s e ye s w id en ed a nd s he j um pe d a s i f s he ha d b ee n s ho ck ed .

?Ex cu se m e?? s he ask ed n ar ro wi ng h er eyes i n s us pi ci on .

J os h k ep t h is f ac e b la nk a s h e m et H el en ?s e ye s, b ut i ns id e, s at is fa ct io n c ou rs ed t hr ou gh h im . H e c ou ld

t el l f ro m h er r ea ct io n t ha t s he h ad p ic ke d u p h is t ho ug ht s. I t w as un us ua l, a lt hou gh n ot u nh ea rd of , f or o th er s n ot o f t he ir k in d t o p ic k u p t he p ro je ct ed t ho ug ht s o f h is r ac e. U su al ly t ha t p er so n h ad t o h av e

been in close contact with a Tanvieran for a prolonged period of time to become sensitive to what they

w er e t hi nk in g. T he re w as o nl y o ne o the r i ns ta nc e w he n s om eo ne n ot f ro m T an vi er a c ou ld p ic k u p a

T an vi er an ?s i de as , a nd h e h ad a s us pi ci on t ha t H el en w as a c as e i n p oi nt .

?I h av en ?t ask ed m y q uest io n y et ,? h e s ai d i nn ocen tl y.

?Oh,? she said, clearly dumbfounded.

? Whe re d id y ou g row u p? ? h e a sk ed a lou d.

?In A ri zo na,? s he s ai d s im pl y.

? We re y ou b or n t he re ?? h e a sk ed .

? N o, ? s he a ns we r ed .

? Wh er e w er e y ou b or n? ?

?California,? she said.

I t b ecam e clear t hat H el en w as n?t g oi ng t o b e f or th co mi ng w it h h er r ep li es . T hi s d id n?t b ot her h im i n t he

l ea st b ec aus e h e ha d be en t augh t e ar ly o n ho w t o g et t he a ns we rs he n ee de d. H e ga ve he r a wi de g ri n

and s at u p s tr ai gh ter, t hen b eg an h is g en tl e i nt er ro gati on .

? Wh at w as y ou r c hi ld ho od l ik e? ? h e a sk ed .

?No rm al ,? s he r ep li ed , aft er a m om en t?s h es it at io n. H e h ad n ot iced a s hado w cro ss in g b ri ef ly o ver h er

e ye s b ef or e s he a ns we re d. T ha t p iq ue d h is c ur io si ty , a nd h e d ec id ed t o p re ss h er o n i t.

?Wh at d o y ou m ean, n or mal??

? I me an norm al. I ha d t wo pa re nt s a nd s ibl ings w ho I s ome t ime s got a l ong w it h, a nd ot he r t im es

d i dn ?t , ? s h e r esp on ded.

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? H ow m an y b ro th er s a nd s is te rs ?? h e a sk ed .

?Tw o b r ot her s, t w o s i st ers . ?

?W er e y ou t he y ou ng es t ??

?Yes.?

? Ah h a, ? h e m ut te re d j us t l ou d e no ug h f or h er t o h ea r.

? Wh at i s t ha t s up po se d t o m ea n? ? s he a sk ed .

?Nothing.?

? Ah h a u su al ly m ea ns s om et hi ng. I t? s n ot n ot hi ng . S o I w as t he y ou ng es t. S o w ha t? T he f ac t t ha t m y

brothers and sisters and I didn?t see eye to eye is no big deal.?

?I s ee,? h e s ai d q ui et ly , t hen r em ai ned q ui et .

J os h s aw H el en ?s f ac e g ro w s to rm y.

? No , yo u do n? t s ee . A nd j us t b ec aus e m y p ar en ts di dn? t u nde rs ta nd m e, d oe sn ?t m ea n I ha d a n

abnormal childhood,? Helen said in a defensive voice.

A s s oon a s s he s ai d t hos e wo rd s, s he c la mp ed h er h an d ov er h er m ou th a nd s ta re d a cc us ing ly a t J os h.

? Ho w d id y ou d o t ha t? ? s he a sk ed , n ar ro wi ng h er e ye s.

? Do w ha t? ? J os h a sk ed w it h a n i nn oc en t e xp re ss io n o n h is f ac e.

He le n s hot da gg er s a t h im wi th h er g az e. S he l ook ed ve ry a gi ta te d. H e ma na ge d t o ke ep h is f ac e a b la nk

a s s he c on ti nu ed t o s cr ut in iz e h im . A ft er a m om en t, s he s to od u p a nd p ou re d h er se lf a no th er c up o f

c of fe e, t he n c ame ba ck t o s it do wn.

? No w i t? s y ou r t ur n, J os h, ? s he s ai d, h ol di ng h er h an d o ut .

?T ur n f or w hat??

?Fo r y ou t o h av e y ou r l if e s cr ut in ized , w hi le I r ead t hr ou gh y ou r b ackg ro un d f il e, ? s he s ai d, g iv in g h im a

smug smile.

* * * *

J os h g av e h er h is p ap er wo rk t he n s pr ea d h er f il es o ut b ef or e h im , p re te nd in g g re at i nt er es t i n t he m. H e

t oo k n ot e o f t he d is cr ep an ci es , and g ot ang ry at h im self all o ver again f or f or gett in g s om et hi ng s o b as ic.

H e w ou ld h av e B ru nh il da a dj us t t he n um be rs t ha t w er e o ve rl oo ke d b ef or e s he h ad a c ha nc e t o r ep ri nt

h er p as t r es ul ts . H e g la nc ed u p a t H el en a s s he s tu di ed h is f il e.

She had immediately become engrossed in it, ignoring him. He and Brunhilda had compiled his fictitious

background quite easily. As long as Helen didn?t follow up with phone calls to the various institutions

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I t hi nk a bo ut y ou a ll t he t im e, y aq ue sh . I e ve n d re am a bo ut y ou , a bo ut u s, t og et he r.

A t f ir st , s he k ep t h er g az e s tr ai gh t a he ad o n h is t hr oa t, b ut a ft er h e s ent H el en h is t ho ug h