Chapter 2

Here's the second installment! Now with 100% more Langdon!

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'All right, I've got the reservations for dinner taken care of, the hotel room booked for the evening, and my gift is waiting in the car. All that I need to do now is pick up Sienna, and our Valentine's date can begin.'

Such were the thoughts running through the mind of Professor Robert Langdon, as he made his way up the short flight of stairs to the floor on which Sienna's apartment resided.

This was their first Valentines Day date together as a couple. Last year, they were unfortunately unable to have a moment to themselves due to their respective obligations in the wake of Bertrand Zobrist's virus sweeping the globe. Sienna was out of the country attending a WHO seminar on the impacts the virus would have on medical care in Third World countries, and was therefore unable to see Langdon as often as she would like. Meanwhile, Langdon had been swamped with extra work due to taking on the classes of one of his colleagues, who had to go on maternity leave for a few weeks following the holiday break.

Fortunately, most of the hubbub surrounding Zobrist's work had since died down, apart from the rare times Sienna was called upon for her insight into the late genuis' work. The young doctor was able to settle down into a comfortable lifestyle in Boston, working in one of the city's hospitals as a nurse specializing in pathogenic illnesses. Privately, Sienna confessed to Langdon that it was very probable, given her knowledge of the subject, that a promotion would likely occur by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Langdon no longer had to pull double-duty at the university, and had much more free time to spend doing what he liked, whether it be reading a book that caught his eye, or spending quality time with the pretty doctor.

Pausing in front of Sienna's door, Langdon took one last moment to compose himself.

'You're not some ignorant teenager, Robert. There's nothing for you to worry about. Besides, Sienna has about as much experience at this whole dating thing as I do...'

Nodding silently to himself, Langdon took one last deep breath, and reached forward to knock on the apartment door before him.

For a moment, the hallway was silent, and then Langdon could hear the sounds of a chain being undone, followed by a deadbolt being unlatched. As the door slowly opened, Langdon greeted his date with a smile.

"Evening, Sienna. Your chariot awaits out front. You all ready... to... go...?"

Langdon trailed off as he took in Sienna's appearance. She appeared to be dressed in what she went to bed in the night before; a long t-shirt that Langdon distantly recognized as one of his own that he had left the last time he had visited Sienna. While Sienna's attire was certainly odd for this time of day, it was nothing compared to the expression currently on her face. Her normally straight blonde hair was in tangles, as if she had just gotten out of bed. Her brown eyes were slightly red and sunken, and Langdon could see the remnants of hastily dried tear tracks on her cheeks.

"Sienna," Langdon began slowly, "Are you... okay?"

Silently, she shook her head, and Langdon could see the beginnings of tears welling in her eyes.

"No, Robert..."

Her soft voice cracked, and she flung herself into Langdon's startled form. The professor could feel her body shivering, as Sienna broke down in his arms.

"I'm not."

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That's the second chapter done! Sorry about the delay! Originally, I was going to end this chapter with the ending of the upcoming third chapter, but I had a spike of creativity as I was writing this.

The next chapter will continue from Langdon's perspective.

Remember, reviews can only help me!