Chapter One Hello Again
Professor Ted Kord spent most of his nights in a laboratory beneath New York University. He had awakened from a coma six months ago with no memory of the last 8 years of his life. He was told that he had been in a near fatal car accident and that his head injuries had been so severe no one had expected him to recover. But his father refused to let him go he had kept his only child on life support even when the doctors had declared him brain dead. After his recovery he landed a job teaching physics at the university. A loner, he spends most of his spare time in a research lab.
Ted was in his lab performing experiments on yet another Saturday night when his colleague's fiancé decided that it was time for him to go out and have a good time. Dr. Jake Randall entered the lab with hesitation. It was the night before his wedding to Ted's friend Trista and he was on his way to his bachelor party. Jake's bride had coerced him into coming to the university to persuade Ted to join in the festivities.
"Ted? Its Saturday night, surely you're not planning on spending the entire evening cooped up in here doing research when there's some serious debauchery in need of your attention."
"Hey Jake! Its good to see you, I guess Trista twisted your arm to get you to come down here."
"She didn't have to man; I came on my own. I asked her if you were planning to come to my bachelor party and she told me that you were down here doing research."
"So you decided to drag me away from my work?"
"As any good friend would do. Come on man! I've only got one night of freedom left and hey, I put up with all these late nights of research you've been putting in with my girl the least you can do is come out and celebrate the end of my bachelorhood with me."
Ted considered his words, Jake had a point, He had always been very understanding of the long hours he and Trista had worked in the lab.
"I'm happy for the two of you, you know I am but I'm not what anyone would call a fun guy."
"Bite your tongue! You're one of the coolest dudes I know, my party won't be the same without you."
"I don't know Jake where are you guys going?"
"We're going to the hippest strip club in the N-Y-C!"
"Gold diggers?"
"Yep, tonight my boys and me are VIPs we're doing it up big time are you down?"
"I don't know I'm real close to a break through here."
"Come out and kick it with me and my boys Ted! Who knows, you might get lucky
I guarantee that you will have a good time."
"You guarantee that I'll have a good time? How can I refuse?"
Later that night at the club Ted sat between Jake and one of his friends and it was obvious that he was not having a good time. As usual he found himself the butt of a barrage of nerd jokes. Jakes friends were kind to him but they were all handsome successful doctors who couldn't resist poking fun the uptight professor. His new friends were quick to buy him drinks and lap dances but all he could think about was the experiments he could be conducting in his lab.
"Lighten up Ted! We're looking at some of the hottest ladies in the city!" Shouted Jake.
"I'm having a great time!" He yelled over the noise of the patrons and the music. But I need to get back to the lab I'm afraid you guys will have to enjoy the rest of the entertainment without me."
One of Jakes friends overheard that Ted was preparing to leave and stumbled over to protest.
"You can't leave now Ted, Rio is up next. I heard that she's so hot she can set your balls on fire just by looking at you."
"I like my balls the way they are."
"Oh come on Ted stay a little while longer just one more dancer and then you can get back to your lab." Pleaded Jake.
"Just one more Jake and then I'm out of here."
As soon as he spoke the lights went down and the emcee began his introduction of the next dancer. The crowd was already in a frenzy it was close to midnight and everyone had been drinking heavily all evening. When she came out she lit up the stage instantly grabbing a pole and moving suggestively to the music. Ted had to admit that Rio was something special. She was beyond gorgeous and her moves sent piles of dollars to the stage. He was mesmerized like the other guys and when she made her way to the VIP section they made eye contact and Rio froze in her tracks before she spoke.
"Ted? Oh my God Ted! You're alive!"
She rushed over and embraced him. The rest of the group turned to look at him and he shrugged his shoulders.
"You're alive! I can't believe it you're alive! I'm so glad to see you, let me look at you. She ran her fingers through his hair and examined his head looking for a wound. Why didn't' t you let me know you were here? Where is Michael? Is this some kind of a joke?"
He was like a deer in the headlights. He had no idea who Michael was or who she was for that matter but she was so beautiful and she felt so great in his arms that for the moment he decided to play along. Two security guys made their way over to the commotion.
"Hey Rio is this guy giving you trouble?"
"No everything is fine. Ted I need to change, meet me at bar across the street!"
He nodded then she hugged him one more time and quickly kissed him on the lips before making her way to her dressing room.
"Well if that don't beat all you know her?" asked Jake.
"Actually I-"
"Professor T you've been holding out on me? I guess I need to start calling you the naughty professor now! I can't believe that you've been kickin it with a fine babe like that and you didn't tell me about her. Is she as good as she looks?"
"Jake, I don't know her I wish I could say I did but I've never seen her before in my life. She's mistaking me for someone else."
"So there's another guy running around New York named Ted who just happens to look like you? How much have you had to drink?
"I'm serious Jake I don't know how she knew my name but believe me if I did know her I wouldn't pretend that I didn't."
"Then why did you agree to meet her?"
Jake's inebriated friend Dr. Mark Cooper decided to answer the question.
"Jake you're the one that's been drinking too much if you can't figure that out, did you see her??
"I didn't know what to say Jake, Mark is right she's gorgeous I just couldn't say no. Look I'm going back to the lab."
"Are you crazy? Asked Mark. So what, you're not the Ted she thinks you are hell I would become Ted to spend the night with a hottie like that!"
"Don't listen to him, he's been married so long that he forgot that women have feelings." Added Jake.
"Keep in mind that you are saying this as you shove a dollar down a strippers g-string." Replied Mark.
Ted looked around the club, picked up his beer, and took a long swig.
"It would be wrong to play with that woman's emotions, I'm going back to the lab."
"I think you're making the right decision Rio is a lot to handle you have to learn how to crawl before you can walk!" teased Mark.
"Shut up Mark! This is Ted's call if he wants to get back to his test tubes cause he's too scared to put the moves on a hot chick we need to respect his decision."
"Scared? I'm not scared it's just that I have a lot of work to do."
"We were just teasing you man, really its okay I'm just glad you came out to celebrate with me for a while you stayed longer than I thought you would."
"You guy go on and enjoy yourselves, Jake, I'll see you tomorrow."
Without saying another word he finished his beer and walked out of the club. After hailing a cab he looked across the street and saw her sitting alone at a table near the window. He remembered what she said about being glad that he was alive and he felt guilty. How could he let this woman think that she had found her dead friend, hop into a cab and get on with his life? He slammed the door of the taxi and watched it drive away, taking a deep breath he made his way across the street to meet Rio for a drink.
As soon as he walked into the bar her face lit up and his heart sank. She gave him another hug but this time she squeezed him tighter and reluctantly let him go.
"I have never been so glad to see someone my whole life. I'm sorry you had to witness that whole stripper thing but after I lost my power I fell on some hard times. We all thought that you were dead, that Max killed you we had a funeral and everything. Does Michael know?"
"Who is Michael? I came here to apologize-"
"Well you need to apologize to all of us. I should be angry with you for allowing us to think that you were dead but I'm sure you have a good explanation."
"Rio, it was wrong of me to let you think that I was your dead friend; I came here to apologize for that."
"Ted you can drop the "I don't know who you are thing" I figured you must be working undercover."
"Undercover? You've obviously mistaken me for someone else. What I did to you was reprehensible and if there was any way I could make it up to you I would but the truth is I don't know you, we've never met I may look like your friend and we obviously share the same name-"
"Oh my God you're serious! Or this is a practical joke that has gone on too long?"
"I'm afraid I'm not joking miss Rio."
"Beatriz! My name is Beatriz and you know that Ted so cut it out! Stop pretending that you don't know me! I don't have time for this! I need your help!"
"Beatriz, I know what its like to lose someone you care about, grief can make a person do crazy things but you have mistaken me for someone else and you need to accept that."
There was a cold impersonal note in what he said this forced her to realize that this was not a joke, maybe he didn't know her. As silly as Beetle and Booster could be at times they were not cruel enough to let a joke like this go on too long.
"I get it! The gunshot wound gave you amnesia-"
"I don't have amnesia. I know who I am. I can't apologize enough for putting you through this. Let me pick up your tab it's late and I really should be going home."
He put a generous amount of money on the table and began to walk away. She grabbed his arm and whipped him around to face her.
"So that's it? You're just goanna walk away? Ted look at me! I'm Beatriz, Beatriz DaCosta! You're Ted Kord, the Blue Beetle!"
"How do you know my name?"
He jerked away from her and headed for the exit, she was following him.
"Because we're friends! We use to work together don't you remember? Fire and Ice, Blue and Gold!"
Ted felt worse. It was bad enough that he deceived her now he could see that she was also delusional. He once again hailed a cab and before he got in he turned to look at her and he could see the desperation and fear in her eyes. He spoke to her one last time.
"Look, like I said before, I'm really sorry that I misled you but I'm not who you thought I was. Here, take my card, call me tomorrow I know a few doctors that might be able to help you."
Stunned by his inability to recognize her she silently took his card and watched him get into the taxi disappearing into the night.
During his ride home he thought about what she had said. He felt bad for her she was obviously so mentally disturbed that she convinced herself that she knew him. Still he wondered how did she know his name? It was odd enough that she knew his first name but how could she know that his last name was Kord? He paid the driver and walked slowly to his apartment. If only he had stayed in the lab instead of going out, none of this would have happened. After he turned on the lights he thought about retrieving his laptop to work on his research data but decided against it. Instead he retreated to his bedroom and resigned himself to yet another sleepless night.
The next day when he attended Jake and Trista's wedding he tried to emerge himself in the festivities but his thoughts kept drifting back to the woman he met at the club. Even in the midst of his colleagues Ted felt lonely and out of place. During the reception he slipped away shortly after the bride and groom had made their exit. When he entered his apartment Ted immediately noticed that the light on his answering machine was blinking. He decided to listen to his messages after updating his notes. Several hours later, before going to bed he turned his answering machine on.
"Mr. Kord, this is Carla Webb, the ER nurse at Mercy General. We have a patient here her name is Beatriz DaCosta, she was brought in about an hour ago. She is currently being treated but we are unable to keep her because of her lack of insurance. We are attempting to find someone who could take her home. If you have any questions you can reach me at 679-2940."
Standing in the middle of his apartment Ted had a decision to make. At first he regretted giving her his card because he didn't know her, she was a stranger in need of help and after the stunt he pulled on her last night he decided that taking her home from the hospital was the least he could do.
When he arrived he rushed to the front desk and immediately went to nurse Webb after reading her name tag.
"Excuse me? Nurse Webb?"
"Yes, can I help you?"
"I'm Ted Kord, I received a message about Beatriz DaCosta."
"I'm the one who called you Mr. Kord your card fell out of her pocket. You see, normally when she comes here- I mean, she- she's very sick and she has no one."
"I see."
"Can I speak to you in private?"
"Of course."
The nurse led him into a small office near the front desk and closed the door.
"Mr. Kord, I'm not sure what you know about Miss DaCosta's condition but I'm assuming that you must care about her or you wouldn't have come."
"How is she?"
"We have her in a cryogenic chamber right now when she came in her temperature was right around 220 we have managed to bring it down to 115."
"Degrees? How is that possible?"
"I thought that you were aware that Miss DaCosta is a meta-human."
"What is her prognosis?"
"It's against policy to give out patient information but because of who she is and the seriousness her condition-"
"Her condition is serious?"
"There's no way to sugar coat this, Mr. Kord, Miss DaCosta is terminal."
"Terminal? "
I'm afraid so. Whatever it was that gave her superpowers has turned against her. We don't know enough about her abilities to cure her, the only thing we can do is try to make her as comfortable as possible during the time she has left. Personally I think it's an outrage that we treat our super heroes this way. This woman risked her life on a daily basis and saved the lives of thousands of people but the hospital refuses to give her adequate treatment because she's uninsured."
Nurse Webb's pager went off.
"I've got to go Mr. Kord. I'll let the duty nurse know that you're here and you should be able to see Miss DaCosta as soon as she's released from Cryo."
"Thanks for the information."
"Thank you for caring; no one should die alone, certainly not someone as brave and selfless as Fire."
As he sat waiting to see Beatriz he took out his phone and googled her. He found a wealth of information about her life with the Global Guardians and her time in the Justice League. There were numerous photos of her as Fire with Ice, Booster Gold and the Blue Beetle. He began to wonder if Booster was the Michael that she spoke of. When he read about the untimely death of Ice and the subsequent death of the Beetle, he was overcome with compassion. He wondered how she managed to stay sane in the face of so many losses. Her insistence that he was indeed the Blue Beetle no longer surprised him he could see how suffering the loss of so many people who were close to her would drive her to imagine that he was her deceased friend. Reading about her life and knowing that she was at deaths door drastically changed his attitude towards her. He found himself as outraged as nurse Webb, wondering how the whole world turn its back on someone who fought so hard to keep everyone safe. The nurse was right, no one should die alone. Ted made it his mission to see to it that she didn't die .He knew that he couldn't bring her friends back but he was determined to use all the resources at his disposal to find a cure and save her life. The duty nurse informed him that it was okay to see her now and that she would finish the paperwork involving her discharge and brief him on her care later.
When he was finally told that he could see her, he thought long and hard about what he would say.
Putting on a cheerful face he entered her room. At first he thought she was asleep, her eyes were closed and he noted the steady rise and fall of her chest.
"Beatriz?"
She opened her eyes at the sound of his voice using all of her strength she glanced over and gave him a smile.
"Ted? What are you doing here? You remembered?"
He shook his head and walked over to her bed, sitting in a nearby chair he took her hand.
"I wish I could tell say that I know you, from what I have read about you, you're a remarkable woman."
She didn't hide her disappointment she turned her head away from him and attempted to release her hand from his but he held on.
"Why are you here? I'm a stranger to you, you must think I'm some nut job who's trying to make you into someone you're not."
"What can I say I've got a thing for nut jobs? Look I know we didn't start off on a good note but that doesn't mean that we can't be friends, I want to help you Bea."
"I don't need your pity."
"Good cause you're not getting it. I felt real bad about what I did last night and when the nurse called and told me you were sick I came here because I saw this as my opportunity to make amends. Helping you was about easing my conscious but everything changed when she told me who you really are. You're a real hero Bea, you've helped so many people, and I'm here because I owe you, the world is a better place because people like you put their lives on the line to save others."
"Did you rehearse that speech?"
"Yeah, how did I do?"
"It had a nice beat but you can't dance to it."
"I know it might sound insincere but I really do want to help you."
"Why? Didn't they tell you? I'm a lost cause it's just a matter of time before-"
"Yes, they did fill me in on your condition. But as a scientist I refuse to accept that. As long as you're alive there's hope and like it or not I made the decision tonight that I will do everything I can to keep you alive."
"Oh great now I'm a science project."
"For the most part my motives are both altruistic and scientific."
"For the most part?"
Her question made him nervous. Ted knew that part of the reason he came here was his attraction to her and he wasn't ready to reveal that so he used humor to lighten the mood.
"I've got uh-personal reasons as well; mankind would never forgive me if I let a beauty like you just fade away."
"Are you flirting with me?"
"A little, you're way out of my league but if I didn't try to hit on you I would have to turn in my man card."
She couldn't help but smile. Finally she saw a glimpse of her Ted, the Blue Beetle that she knew. He always made her laugh with his off beat sense of humor. She noticed him smiling back at her, and although she was disappointed that he didn't remember the past she was glad he was here. Maybe he will regain his memory with time. Her attending physician dr. Meredith Bailey walked quietly into the room.
"Mr. Kord, nurse Webb informed me you're taking responsibility for miss Dacosta's care?"
"Yes, I'll see to it that she gets home safely."
"Well I will need you to sign a release form Miss Dacosta, it's against hospital policy to give out patient information but the next 48 hours are crucial to your recovery so I will need to debrief your friend here on the details of your condition and care."
"I'm fine with that, where do I sign?"
Doctor Bailey handed Beatriz several forms from her clipboard and a pen. She briefly glanced over the documents and signed them.
"Mr. Kord, I can't express how important it is to monitor her body temperature and administer the proper dosage of Hyphidium every 4 hours. The reason she suffered a severe attack because she hasn't been taking her meds.
Beatriz rushed to her own defense.
"Hyphidium is very expensive Dr. Bailey sometimes I have to choose between paying the rent and buying my meds."
"I understand that but right now this drug is the only thing keeping you alive."
Ted was given more information on how to administer her treatment at home.
Beatriz was released shortly after the conversation, the pair left the hospital and headed home in a taxicab. During the ride Beatriz fell asleep so Ted gave the driver his address, he decided that it would be easier to care for her in his home. He had some difficulty getting her to wake up long enough for him to pay the driver. She was heavily medicated and unable to stand on her own; as soon as he got inside the building he picked her up and carried her two flights of stairs to his apartment. By the time they had reached this apartment she was asleep again and he had a hard time opening the door with her in his arms but he somehow managed and immediately carried her to his bedroom.
It was a rough night for both of them. Beatriz drifted in and out of consciousness and endured the side effects of the drug. Between bouts of nausea and vomiting her temperature plunged and as a result she suffered from severe chills. After piling on several blankets, Ted crawled into bed with her and attempted to keep her warm.
When Beatriz awakened she was alarmed because she didn't know where she was. A man's arms flung across her body and she closed her eyes silently praying that she had not made the mistake of getting wasted and going home with a stranger. Collecting her thoughts she pieced together the events from the previous night. When she opened her eyes again she rolled over and found herself face to face with Ted Kord.
"Good morning," he muttered. How do you feel?"
"Tired, groggy, kind of like I've been hit by a Mack truck."
This made him smile. He was thankful that she managed to ease a potentially awkward situation.
"Do you remember everything that happened? "
"Almost everything, I don't remember how I winded up here in bed with you."
"On the way home from the hospital your meds kicked in and you passed out so I decided to take you back to my place for a wild night of passion."
She caught on that he was joking and decided to play along.
"Was I any good?"
"The best I've ever had. I've never met a woman who could puke her guts out with such conviction. You were hurling stuff you ate in grade school I had to call the FBI when you puked up Jimmy Hoffa."
Ted's jokes were not wasted on her she felt lousy but he managed to make her laugh.
"I'm sorry about that, I've always had a bad reaction to Hyphidium I know it's the main drug that's keeping me alive but at times I don't think the side effects are worth it."
"Dr. Bailey warned us that the first night would be the hardest. Are you hungry?
You need to take another dose soon and you're not supposed to take this on an empty stomach."
"I'm starving but I don' think I can keep anything down."
"I'll make you some toast whenever I had an upset stomach my mom always gave me toast."
Twenty minutes later he returned with toast, orange juice and coffee. But he was too late, she had fallen asleep again and he didn't want to wake her. Quietly he unwrapped the hypodermic needle and gave her another injection. He was surprised that the prick from the needle didn't wake her. Deciding not to interrupt her much needed slumber he left the bedroom and settled on his couch retrieving his laptop he began to evaluate his notes on his current research.
Ted had fallen asleep but the sound of pots and pans and the aroma of delicious food awakened him. He turned to look at her; in spite of her condition she looked great standing over the stove wearing one of his pajama tops. Once she noticed that he was awake she decided that it was time for some good-natured ribbing.
"It's a shame what a girl has to do to get a meal around here."
"I'm sorry, by the time I made breakfast you were out cold and I didn't want to wake you."
"Lucky for you that I'm not the type to hold a grudge; while you were hibernating I took shower and re-wrote the constitution."
"What time is it?"
"It's close to midnight." She fixed him a plate and joined him on the couch. "What are you working on?"
"I'm writing an article about quantum physics and the theory of parallel universes."
"Good luck with that."
"How do you feel?"
"Sleepy and hungry as you can see hunger won out."
"This is delicious, what is it?"
"My own creation. Don't tell anybody but I'm a pretty good cook when I want to be."
"Your secret is safe with me."
Ted was enjoying her company he was surprised by her level of comfort. She didn't act as if she was in the apartment of a man she had just met Beatriz settled in as if she belonged there. He was elated by this, he couldn't remember the last time he had sat on his couch and watched television with someone, of course he had no memory of what his life was like before the accident but after moving to New York when he wasn't working he spent all of his private time alone. It felt good to have companionship for a change. He picked up their plates and headed for the kitchen, Beatriz grabbed the empty cups and followed him. He turned around and smiled at her and took the cups from her hands.
"You cooked so I'll clean."
"Of course you will I was just helping you out."
She smiled and sat down at the breakfast bar. The alarm on his watch went off signaling that it was time to take her temperature and administer another dose.
"Oh come on! Not now, that stuff makes me sleepy!"
"Beatriz, it's almost 3am you and I both should be asleep."
"Law and Order is coming on." She whined.
"Law and Order is always on."
"Please!!! Can't you give me a dose a little later?"
"You have got the sexiest pout I have ever seen. Making you almost irresistible, the word you should pay attention to is almost. But hey, I'm willing to compromise. You can watch TV in the bedroom until you fall asleep."
"I didn't see a TV in your bedroom?"
"It's in a secret compartment behind the wall. I'll show you as soon as I load these in the dishwasher."
"Boys and their toys." She muttered under her breath.
"I heard that."
Turning the dishwasher on he took her by the hand and led her to his bedroom. Pulling back the covers he gestured for her to get in she hesitated at first but soon realized that she was fighting a losing battle and slid under the covers. Ted retrieved a remote from his nightstand. After pushing a button the wall opened up and revealed a 62-inch plasma TV.
"Wow! That's bigger than the one in your living room!"
"Don't believe the hype, size does matter."
He picked up a fresh syringe swabbed her arm and administered a dose of Hyphidium. After setting the T.V to the desired channel he made his way to the door.
"Why do you get to stay up Ted?"
"I get to stay up because I'm the grown-up. Is there anything else you need?"
"Besides a cure? No."
"Goodnight Bea."
She rolled her eyes at him and turned up the volume. Leaving her alone in his bedroom he returned to his spot on the couch picked up his laptop and resumed his work.
An hour later he heard her scream and ran to the bedroom to see what was going on. Beatriz was still asleep thrashing wildly on the bed she was obviously in the throes of a bad dream. He rushed to her and shook her hard causing her to wake-up. When she opened her eyes and gathered her wits she threw her arms around him and began to cry. He held her tightly allowing her to sob into his shoulder. After a few minutes of crying her tears began to subside but he didn't let her go.
"Are you okay? Did you have a bad dream?"
"Yes, it's the same bad dream I've had almost every night since I was first diagnosed. I wish it was just a nightmare but it's real, all my friends are gone and I'm scared,"
"Scared? Of what?"
"Dying. Dying alone."
"It's not real, not anymore all of your friends are not gone you've got one right here, and I promise you, I am not going let you die."
He wiped the tears from her face and kissed her softly on her forehead and for a moment he just held her. Beatriz broke the silence.
"Earlier you asked me if I needed something I didn't say anything but actually I do need something."
"Just name it."
"Will you stay with me?"
He didn't say a word; he went to the other side of the bed and crawled in next to her wrapping her tightly in his arms.
"I'll take that as a yes."
He laughed quietly at her humor and pulled her even closer.
"I'm sorry Ted; I must be the neediest person you've ever met."
"You barely made the top ten but I'm way ahead of you on the needy list."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You asked me before, why I get to stay up and you have to go to sleep the truth is I can't sleep I've been battling insomnia since I woke up from that coma. I get a little bit of rest here and there but last night, when I was with you, that was the first time in a long time that I've slept for more than a couple of hours."
The next morning when Beatriz awakened Ted was still sleeping soundly. His cell phone was ringing, she thought about waking him but decided against it. It kept ringing and she tried to ignore it and go back to sleep but it wouldn't stop. Afraid that the sound would wake him she picked up the phone and saw that it was someone named Trista. She looked over at his sleeping form and wondered if he had a girlfriend. It hadn't crossed her mind that he might have a significant other. Why wouldn't he? She thought to herself. Ted was a beautiful, brilliant man with a kind heart. She wished she had possessed the courage to tell him that before he died. The phone kept ringing rousing her from her reverie in the end curiosity prevailed and Beatriz answered Ted's cell phone.
"Hello."
Trista was stunned to hear a woman's voice on the other end of the line.
"Uh hello, I'm trying to reach Ted Kord."
Beatriz had been too impulsive and she hadn't given any thought to what she would say.
"He's uh, asleep right now, may I take a message?"
"Ted? Asleep? I see. Tell him Trista called and not to worry about anything today I'll make sure that all of his classes are covered."
After she hung up she wondered if answering his phone had been a bad idea. The woman on the other end didn't sound upset she actually seemed pleased. Beatriz moved closer to his sleeping form and gently touched his soft brown hair when she leaned in to kiss him softly on his cheek he began to stir, not wanting to wake him she swiftly moved out of his bed.
Hours later Ted looked at the clock on his nightstand and was alarmed to see that it was way past noon. He felt bad when he thought about his morning classes and how he had neglected to inform his colleagues that he would be late today. Before he could dial Trista's number Beatriz entered the bedroom with a basket of laundry.
"You're awake! I was beginning to think that you had slipped back into a coma."
Ted was embarrassed that he had let his laundry pile up.
"Hey, you don't have to do that." He muttered.
"I don't have to do what? The laundry? I had to do a couple of loads of your clothes before I could wash mine. Honestly Ted you shouldn't stuff your washer with clothes and just forget about them."
He ignored her comment and finished dialing Trista's number the call went straight to her voicemail.
"Trista, this is Ted, look I'm sorry I didn't call in this morning, I was taking care of a sick friend and lost track of time. Call me and let me know you got this message; again, I'm really sorry."
Beatriz overheard Ted's message and knew she had to confess that she had answered his phone. Taking a deep breath she sat on the edge of the bed.
"Ted, don't be mad."
"Mad? Why would I be mad? It scares me when people begin sentences with "don't be mad."
"Well, this morning while you were sleeping …and well you were in a deep sleep, and I didn't want to wake you, your cell phone kept ringing and I remembered what you said about having insomnia so I figured here you are finally sleeping, I was afraid the phone was going to wake you up so I answered it."
"You answered my cell phone?"
"Yes, I- I did. In retrospect I can see how I was overstepping my bounds-."
"Who was it?"
"Someone named Trista. I told her you were sleeping, she said to tell you not to worry and that your classes were covered, she didn't sound mad or anything, I hope I didn't mess things up for you."
Ted sighed with relief and smiled to himself. The smile faded when he thought about all the questions he knew his friend would have about the woman who answered his cell phone.
"Are you upset?" She asked.
"Not at all, I'm fine with you answering my phone, it's not like I've got some jealous girlfriend to worry about."
He rose from the bed, stood behind Beatriz and grabbed a fresh towel from the laundry basket.
"How are you feeling?" He asked sliding his arms around her waist and pulling her close to him.
"Better."
"No Mack truck?"
"This time I got out of the way."
He laughed softly and gave her warm body a squeeze then he headed for the bathroom but before went in he turned to her and smiled.
"Thanks for last night, that's the most sleep I've gotten in a long time."
"Shouldn't I be thanking you?"
While Ted was taking a shower Beatriz finished his laundry, after it was put away she headed for the kitchen and started preparing lunch.
Later he entered the room and stood at the entrance just watching her. She was unbelievably beautiful standing in his kitchen preparing a meal. When he first saw her at the strip club he was blown away by her looks but seeing her now wearing one of his t-shirts, and no make up with her hair pulled back he could see that underneath the sexiness and glamour Beatriz DaCosta was a natural beauty.
"So are you just going to stand there or are you planning to help?"
"Actually I was just enjoying the view I doubt you need my help, you really seem to know your way around the kitchen."
"You seem surprised." She handed him a knife and directed him to cut carrots.
"I guess I am a little, women like you don't usually hang out in the kitchen."
"Excuse me? Women like me? What do you mean women like me? Women of color? Women with terminal diseases? You need to clarify yourself."
"Hey don't get defensive what I meant was women who look like you. Beautiful women aren't exactly known for their culinary skills."
"That's always been your problem Ted you make too many assumptions about women based solely on their looks!"
"I'm not the only man on earth that does that."
"What did you think of me when you first saw me at the club?"
"Honestly? I thought wow! She has the best body I have ever seen in my entire life and I would cut off my left testicle to have sex with her!"
"That figures, it always comes back to sex."
"Of course it does! What do you expect when you prance around in a g-string with a perfect set of kn-"
"I get the point! I can see how my profession might give a guy the wrong idea about me."
"Just like my profession tends to give women the wrong idea about me." He replied.
"How so?"
"Beautiful women aren't interested in a guy just because he's smart; everybody thinks that smart guy equals nerd. Hot chicks are looking for rich guys, professional athletes or freakishly gorgeous he-models."
"That's not necessarily true."
"Isn't it? Honestly Bea when you saw me at the club if you hadn't mistaken me for someone else you wouldn't have given me the time of day?"
His question caused her to reminisce about all the time she had spent in the past shamelessly flirting with Ted, trying to get him to notice her. She had used her best moves on him but it never got her anywhere. She smiled to herself at the memory because it had never occurred to her that he simply did not believe that a woman like her could be attracted to a man like him. Seconds later Ted noticed that Beatriz was smiling.
"You're smiling, why are you smiling? We're in the middle of a heated debate and you're smiling, what gives? Did you just figure out where you're gonna hide my body?"
She looked at him and for a moment she toyed with the idea of sharing her thoughts but decided against it.
"I'm smiling because I think I understand your point and you're right, there aren't a lot of average Joe's or super nerds dating strippers but it's not entirely our fault you brainiacs have pre-conceived notions about hot chicks too, looking good in a g-string doesn't mean that a woman is an airhead who doesn't know how to cook."
"Touché', it's not your fault that guys like me are too intimidated by your hotness to make a move; I'm guilty as charged."
"It's time to call a truce and enjoy our lunch, agreed?"
"Agreed."
Hours later the duo settled on the sofa and watched television. During a commercial break Beatriz was ready for a new round of questions.
"So tell me, who is Trista?"
"Trista? She's the head of the engineering department and a good friend. Why do you ask?"
"I felt kind of bad after I answered your phone I didn't think about how your girlfriend would take it."
"Girlfriend? Oh yeah, I have lots of girlfriends let's see there's Thermodynamics, she's hot! andNanotechnology is small but she gets the job done. And when I'm feeling kinky I have a foursome with Quantum Theory, Quantum Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, oh andlast week I had a threesome withAstronomy and Astrophysics. Yeah I'm beating them off with a stick.."
Beatriz thought about how the more things change the more they stay the same. This was her Ted all right so wrapped up in his work that he didn't have anything that vaguely resembled a social life much less a girlfriend.
"Do you ever do anything besides work? You may not remember our past but I do, you were a hard working dedicated scientist who was unlucky in love but knew how to loosen up and have a good time."
"Really? Maybe we should have a séance and chat with your friend, it sounds like he figured out a way to have it all and I would love to hear his secret."
"Are you making fun of me?"
"Just a little. Most people don't realize how hard it is to do what I do. Being a research scientist is a tough job there are so many people turning to me looking for answers."
"How long ago was your so-called "accident?"
"Roughly it's been about six months. My memories start with waking up in a hospital room. I was told that I had been involved in a car accident and my injuries were so severe they left me comatose. I retained my education and knowledge but everything else about my life before the accident is completely forgotten."
"It must be hard being a man without a past."
"It sucks ass but I've learned to live with it. If it weren't for my dad I don't know what I would do. He's been helping me get what's left of my life together, he's the one who got my this job at NYU."
Ted was beginning to get emotional he felt this way whenever he thought about how hard his dad had fought for him when everyone around him said that there was no hope for recovery. Beatriz recalled everything she knew about Ted's father and how hard he had pushed him. She had never met Ted's father but she didn't like the way he had exploited his son's brilliance and then kicked him out of the family business because he could no longer control him.
Ted was a child prodigy; he graduated from high school when he was 13. She didn't let on that she knew these details about her friend's life. She had already come to the conclusion that pushing him to remember his past would only drive him farther away.
Later that night when they were lying in bed together Ted felt compelled to ask Beatriz a few questions before she fell asleep.
"Why do you do it?"
"Why do I do what?"
"Dance at Gold Diggers."
"I really don't have a choice; it's hard to hold down a job when you're sick. And as much as I hate it, stripping pays the bills. You're obviously opposed to this, why were you there?
"My friend Trista was getting married and I was there for her fiancé's bachelor party. You're a bright beautiful woman I don't understand why you would resort to taking your clothes off to earn a living."
"I'm not proud of it but I do it to survive my meds are really expensive. "
"That's an understatement."
"I appreciate you getting them for me; I promise you I will pay back every penny as soon as I can."
"That's not necessary I'm not a rich guy, a professional athlete or a he-model but the university pays me quite well."
"You may not need the money Ted but I've always paid my own way. "
"I'm sure you have but your health is our first priority you can pay me back after you have made a full recovery. "
She didn't reply. She took his arm and wrapped it around her and closed her eyes, within minutes she was asleep. Before Ted drifted off he smiled to himself and decided to enjoy the feeling of having this beautiful woman in his arms.
The next day, Ted woke up on time, had a shower and got dressed without disturbing her. Before he left he softly kissed her cheek and went to work leaving her sleeping soundly in his bed.