Chapter 1- "The Plan"
"I have the perfect plan to find out what David is up to," Greenlee announced when she and Ryan were having breakfast.
Ryan's face contorted into a grimace, as it always did when David's name was mentioned (even though he himself was always bringing up how they needed to "take David down"). "What are you talking about? I've been investigating him- I've broken into his office three times already. I'll get to the bottom of whatever that symbol you saw in your dream was."
Greenlee sighed. It was impossible to talk to Ryan in a rational way when the subject was David."But that's just it, Ryan. You've broken in three times and haven't found anything. David is too smart to just leave incriminating evidence around. We need to go deeper and let's face it; he's not going to let you get that close to him. I, on the other hand, have a perfect excuse."
"Meaning what?"
"I can tell David that I'm experiencing pain and numbness and that I might be relapsing. He'll have to take care of me. He won't want anything to happen to his brilliant work," Greenlee bitterly shook her head. She thought David loved her and cared for her, but now it seemed that he'd only saved her in order to further some medical experiment he was doing. It hurt her more than it should have, and she pushed it to the back of her mind.
"I don't like the idea of you being alone with him," Ryan said. "He's still in love with you."
Greenlee laughed. "He's not, and he never was. He wanted to play God; he always wants to play God."
"It's true he wants to play God but he also really did love you, and I'm afraid of what he might do to get you back."
"Nothing! He'll do nothing! He doesn't want me back!" Greenlee raised her voice in exasperation. "Don't worry, I can handle myself."
Greenlee got up and went to get dressed to go to the hospital.
She couldn't wait to set her plan in motion.
David was looking at the papers for the Orpheus Project when Greenlee knocked on the door.
Putting the papers in his briefcase he said, "Come in," and then smiled when he saw it was Greenlee. It was a bittersweet smile, one he seemed to always have on his face when he saw her these days. Greenlee never knew if it was a mocking smile or if he really felt remorse.
"Well, to what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from Mrs., Lavery?" he asked.
"David, can we spare the sarcasm today? I have something important to talk to you about."
David immediately stopped smiling and looked worried. "What is it?"
"I've been having some pain-"Greenlee began.
"Pain? Where? he interrupted her and quickly moved from behind the desk to get closer to her.
"In my back," Greenlee answered; somewhat surprised that he seemed so alarmed.
"What kind of pain? Is it sharp? Dull, throbbing, what? How long have you had it?" David fired question after question at her, looking more anxious with each one.
"David, please! You're not exactly making me feel reassured! It's sometimes sharp and sometimes throbbing, but it's there more frequently now." She lowered her eyes and bit her lip as though she were afraid of what she was going to tell him next. "I've-been feeling some numbness in my back and legs also."
David looked even more alarmed at that and reached out to touch her.
She moved back instinctively.
"I'm going to have to touch you if you want me to examine you," he said.
"I know that. I just don't want you touching me when you're not examining me."
"Fair enough," he said, although she could see disappointment and what she could almost swear was hurt in his eyes. "If I treat you no one can know. Not even Ryan. I don't have my license back and I'm not interested in going to jail ever again."
Greenlee pretended to think it over and then nodded her head. "When should we start?" she asked.
"There's no time like the present," David said. "Lock the door and lie down on the couch."