Chp 1: Strange awakenings
I heard the familiar whirrs and beeps of medical equipment. Trying to remember what was happening, I tried to open my eyes but couldn't. Must be an anaesthetic.. I tuned my ears to focus more on the sounds around me through my sub-conscious.
"Please.. We have to finish before Naomi passes on."
'Passes on?' ...
That's right.. I remember standing in the field of flowers with the blue asclepias and Rosalia before me. In both ways.. How could something so beautiful, or someone with such pure intentions cause such devastation? I felt bad for the poor girl, having to live through the burden of knowing she was such a danger to her loved ones. I suppose in a way.. I could relate to that. The difference being well.. Age among other things. She was so young and could have had a bright future ahead if it weren't for those restrictions, or Albert Sartre's research. Both good intentions anyway, too bad it didn't work out originally. Thank god for the anti- serum though. If it works.. more lives.. More deserving than mine could live on.
Then there's my burden.. The Healing touch.. "Cast down from Asclepius himself".. Only few were granted this "gift."
Gift. My. Ass.
All having that provided was a giant weight against my shoulders. It may have helped for one doctor in particular, but certainly not me. So, why me then? Was it used as a form of torment because someone up there knew that someday I would unfortunately join forces with Delphi? Maybe, but how could I ever know?
While Rosalia was young and pure.. I- I was old enough, I should've known better; but not everything about work was wide open. (Most, if not just about everything was kept from the 'employees') I knew, even in Caduceus the only use I was to them was for my "gift." Using it right and actually saving lives is one thing, but using it to find ways to completely and utterly destroy anyone and everyone in the way..
Was unimaginable.
No matter how much or what I would do in attempt to atone for my past mistakes, it felt like nothing mattered. Except taking in Alyssa, that I would never regret. In the end.. Even if the Rosalia was somehow treated in the tricky place it had nested, my flame would go out either way wouldn't it? Sooner or later, I had to face reality. I had to tell Alyssa, make sure she's in good care, and maybe make sure Little guy won't be so heartbroken about it since he's been acting so strange lately.. That was something for later though. Alyssa always has to come first now. If you make it out of this.. Never forget- huh?..
I had felt a shockwave pass through my heart, and to the rest of my body. Suddenly, everything really went black. My past affairs with Delphi, my dangerous odd jobs and ends, getting aggravated with little guy's inability to drive or his perverse comments.. Compared to now with all these death threats, and a surprising amount of explosions, or his inability to fit words together most of the time without stuttering and thinking I didn't notice his face flush briefly.. The list went on. My life as I knew it had flashed before my eyes..
Was I.. Dead? Was this it? It cant be can it..? Or maybe I should just accept it.. Then I remembered the quote I had read to Alyssa earlier before I collapsed. "I'm just a little bird.. How could I possibly defeat a monster?" Maybe Rosalia was just the monster I couldn't defeat after all-
But those two kept flashing back into my head..
I'm not sure how long I was out, but I knew I was shocked when I slowly opened my eyes and looked out ahead of me and around the room.
"You're awake, how do you feel?" The endoscopic surgeon, Tomoe, smiled at the end of the bed.
"I'm.. Alive?"
"Yes. The focus on your heart was removed. You're safe.
I sat up from my position on the bed and narrowed my gaze down.
"I see.. And the others?"
"Same as usual. It's like the whole thing was a bad dream."
She went on to describing how everyone had moved on with their lives as normal, and as if peace had finally settled back in.. It made me feel a bit glad but at the same time, what was I to do with myself now? Uncertainty quickly clouded in before I could decipher any of my other feelings towards all this..
"I see.." Normal lives. Must've really been nice. Without that fear always in the back of your mind. Fear that something... Some force more powerful would end up taking you away. Just as you had finally found something to find the strength to fight for.
"This world may be brief. But to reject it is dishonorable." Tomoe's sweet tone harshened just a bit as she furrowed her eyebrows at me.
"Huh?"
"You can't give up. There's someone who still needs you."
Alyssa.
"... I know.. Even if it is just for a little longer.." Sweet Alyssa.. What am I supposed to say? She didn't deserve-
"I don't know about that."
"... What?" I lifted my face up on instinct, or more in shock. Did I.. Hear her right?
"Dr. Kimishima. The dormant disease you've had has completely vanished."
"What are you saying? I mean, I-
I'm.." V-Vanished? Was that even possible? I mean.. I knew my dealings back then were dangerous but I never thought about it this way...
"You're not going to die. We believe that your cells.. Their disease factor was expelled by the Rosalia virus."
Expelled? "T-that means.. I'm.."
I'm free.. I can go on without that constant reminder? I could feel myself shake where I sat, from joy or total alarm.. Maybe a bit of both? It was finally off of my shoulders!
"Dr. Kimishima. I have a message from all of us who helped you. There may be relapse. There's no way of knowing the future. But still.. We want you to look forward to living your life." Tomoe's sweet voice reassured me
I have a second chance.. It was amazing news of course after all these years.. But I still didn't know fully what to do with myself from this point on. I shook a bit more and I could feel my voice shake too. I couldn't believe this.. I heard a door open behind me and..-
"Naomi!"
"Alyssa!.." I turned around and saw her tears forming. I felt as if mine would too.. I'm not so sure if I've had that feeling in a while..
She ran towards me and gave me a big hug as I gladly returned it. Squeezing tightly as if to something so precious... Yet fragile.
"Thank you.. Thank you.. So much."
The poor baby had gone through so much.. and so have I. I saw a bit of myself in her, but not too much, and I'm glad for that as well. Now I have whatever is left of my life now to be there for you..
Alyssa nodded and gripped onto me tighter. "I- I was really scared.."
"I know.. It's alright now sweetheart. I'm never gonna leave you. Ok?" She nodded through her tears and fixed her bandages a bit. Never.. Huh? Real smooth there-
"Ok Naomi.."
"She'll be just fine. I can assure you that." Tomoe smiled.
I nodded and smiled back at Alyssa. For the first time in my life.. I've felt so much gratitude for this moment.. And could really feel the protective parental instincts kicking in. So many years.. so much pain and suffering; longing for something better. But I'm a different person. This is the best it has been right now..
"Hmm?" Tomoe stirred as she heard a knock turn into a slight pounding on the door. "Who is it?" She got up from her spot on the bed and opened the door.
"Hmm?.." I looked back just as she had opened it fully to see..
"Dr. Kimishima, you're alright.. What a relief!"
"Hey, Little guy.. What did you expect hmm?" I smiled playfully at 'my assistant' and partner. He walked past Tomoe and to my side to sit next to me. He had a stack of papers in his hand and looked at me before beginning.
"W-well.. Uh.. Anyway... It's all cleared." A small bit of pink back to his face, as usual when I addressed him. He shifted the stack around and filed it neatly.
"All of it? So she's.."
"She's your responsibility now Dr." He smiled and patted Alyssa's head, which she tilted at me.
"Well well well.. Mr. 'Doctor, do you really think they'll agree?'" I mimicked his voice the best I could, some tension relieved. At the moment anyway..
"Hey.. C'mon now. This should be a good moment going now right?" I nodded.
Alyssa looked up at us. "Naomi.. What does the little guy mean?"
The little guy hmm? I chuckled softly under my breath.
"Well.. He means you get to come stay with me if you want to sweetie. Would you like that?"
Her eye brightened and she jumped up between us to hug us both.
"Uh-huh! Yayyy! heheheh. Thank you Mr. little guy!"
"U-uh.." I smiled and gave him a little look before tugging at his tie again. He seemed to like that for whatever reason.. "N-no problem. Anything I could do to help."
"Yes. Thank you agent.. And for before as well when I didn't get the chance to."
"Huh? O-oh right. Well.. Anything for you Dr. Kimishima.."
"Anything.. Hm.. Even following me to the end. If this was it.." I recall what he said earlier in that field, a slight teasing smirk reappearing.
".. If it was.. Honestly I don't even know what I'd do. But.. it would be anyway huh..?"
"Well.."
"Huh?"
I looked towards Tomoe and nodded.
"Yes, we believe that the previous dormant virus had been expelled along with Rosalia. As we've told Naomi already."
"So. You're gonna live after all."
"Right. I'm a fighter." I raised up my arm and moved it to a fist somewhat weakly.
"Boy, isn't that an understatement?"
"And what is that supposed to mean, wise guy?" Always trying to speak ironically with me...
"Well.. For as long as I've known you, all the crap- I- I uh mean stuff.. Pardon me, little lady. For all the stuff you've been through.. You always find a way to be resilient and bounce back quite impressively."
"Right.. Sucking up still doesn't spare you, remember that."
"Uh- huh.." He averted his gaze from me and gulped. "Even with all the murder cases and explosions and death threats.."
"Y-yea yea. Alright.. I get it Little guy." I chuckled a bit, softly to myself, surprising even me with that, to an extent.
"R-right.. Anyway, I should probably get back to work. Just wanted to check in. Told the boss I wouldn't leave til I was sure you were ok."
"Hmm.. Right. Good call agent." I nodded and poked at his tie, he took in a breath and chuckled.
"Right.. So I'll uh.. See you guys later.." Little guy got up and gave me a quick hug before walking back out towards the door. "A-and Dr.."
"Yes?"
"It's been.. Good to have you back."
"Right.. Thank you. You as well." Even though I didn't care to admit it. Especially at first.. Isn't that right Navel?
"R-right.. Weaver." Little guy whispered before he closed the door, accidentally hitting his face, getting flustered and mumbling a curse under his breath, and finally getting to close it behind him. "Dammit, DAMMIT.. Stop making a fool of yourself in front of her!" I thought I could almost hear his little tantrum through the door and cracked a smile. Not as big as the..guitar incident of course, but still.. It amused me just as much.
"Well.. Speaking of getting twisted around someone's finger.." Tomoe smiled.
"Huh..? What was that?"
"Nothing at all Dr. You should get your rest by now anyway." Brushing me off huh? Guess who's on my list-
"Right.. Alright.." I sighed and kissed Alyssa's forehead.
"How long are we gonna be in here Naomi?" She looked up at me with sad yet hopeful eyes.
"Um.. I'm not so sure sweetheart. But it shouldn't be too long, just hang in there."
"Huh.. Well if Naomi can, than I can be a tough girl too!" Alyssa stuck out her chest and huffed proudly.
"Hmm now there's the spirit. Though you could use some rest too young lady." I smiled and walked her back to her room, holding onto her hand and tucking her snuggly under the covers.
"Naomi.."
"Hmm?"
"So.. You're my new mommy?"
"Uh I-in a way, yes. But only if you wish it.."
"Then I do!"
"Right sweetie." I smiled and talked in my usual other 'narration voice'. "Then your wish shall be.. Granted."
Alyssa giggled and hugged me again before going to sleep. "Night Naomi.."
"Good night Alyssa. Now I'll just be in the other room. I need some rest too ok?"
"Ok.."
"Need to be stronger so we can play again hmm? Sound good to you?"
"Yea!" she giggled and laid back down.
I walked back over to the door and closed it gently behind me. I turned off the lights and took one last look at Alyssa.
"Good night.. sweet princess."