The Barracuda Meets the Phantom
Disclaimer: I do no own The Phantom or Quantum Leap. I do own Marie the Barracuda, though.
New Mexico, Waiting Room
Marie approached the door to the waiting room. As the project's psychiatrist, it was her job to interview all the patients that leaped in. Some of the sessions were very simple, the patients having only minor anxieties. Others, were just plain kooky. Much like the one she was about to embark on. Marie pushed her 5'4" frame toward the door, trying to hide the anxiety that she felt. If this man truly was the Phantom of the Opera, she had finally met her match.
She entered swiftly, brushing away some stray hair that had fallen out of her clip. She spotted Sam, er, Erik, standing erect a few feet away. His gaze was on her, unnerving the stoic doctor. It was Dr. Beckett's eyes, yet they weren't . Those eyes were so intense, and piercing, like he could see straight into her soul. Marie cleared her throat, while she played with her ink pen.
"Hello, Erik. I am Dr. Marie Felder."
"Hello, Mademoiselle."
Marie looked behind her, startled by the low, seductive voice in her ear. She looked back at her patient, shaken to find that no one had been next to her.
"That is quite the party trick, Monsieur. But, you don't need to entertain me," Marie replied, hiding her anxiety. She approached him, her posture as erect as his.
Erik inclined his head toward her, his mouth mere inches from her ear. "Really, pity," he whispered, causing a shiver down her back.
Marie mentally kicked herself for showing her weakness. That of dark men with sexy voices, and disarming eyes. She took a deep breath and blew out, hoping the former assassin didn't notice the goosebumps on her arms.
"Erik, not to sound cliché, but I would like to talk with you about your past."
Erik/Sam brought a hand forward and brushed another stray hair out of the doctor's face. Dr. Felder suppressed a shudder as he caressed her hair, his gaze wandering from her eyes to her mouth. He stopped the worship his fingers were giving to her hair and pulled his hand away. The Doctor took a step back, a mixture of relief and disappointment washed over her.
The Opera Ghost spoke, causing electrical currents to shoot through her, despite herself.
"Where would you like me to start, Doctor?"
"Where would you like me to start, Doctor?"
Erik smiled, noticing the affect he had on this woman. He had to give her credit, though, she was strong, he guessed she would not back down easily. He quickly looked her up and down, oh yes, she's a pistol.
Her eyes were a deep brown that seemed to hold years of wisdom, they reminded him of someone else he knew. Her dress was sapphire blue, which ended at her knees. He looked at it quizzically. In Persia he saw a lot more skin than that, but, it was different. Christine, Meg, and Antoinette usually had their legs covered, unless they were performing. Not that he minded. His gaze wandered up to her swan like neck. He wondered what kind voice would come out of that throat. What would it feel like to have his fingers wrapped around that neck?
No, I don't do that anymore.
Erik notice his once over of her was getting to her. In her eyes he noticed a mix of anxiety and irritation.
"You may start wherever you want to, Erik."
"Well, let's see. I was born June the 3rd, 1853." Erik noticed how she was making notations as he continued. "I was raises in a circus by two baboons, Stinky and Hairy." Dr. Felder looked up from her notepad. "They taught me the value of hard work. I made my living by catching flies with my bare hands and peeling bananas with my feet. People came from all around the world just to see me."
"Erik," Marie interrupted.
He ignored her and continued, "One day I found a lamp, which had a genie inside."
"Erik," Marie said, irritation thick in her voice.
"He told me he would grant me three wishes. I told him I wanted to be a composer, magician, and an assassin. Not necessarily in that order. He granted them, and I lived a very prosperous, full life."
"Erik, do you always make jokes when you are trying to avoid a painful memory."
Erik approached her slowly, much like a lion stalking its prey. When he reached her he bent his tall frame down to her level and said, "Tell me, Felder, do you always try to hide your femininity while in the company of men?" His eyes drifted to her white jacket, which she had snugly closed over herself only moments before.
Responding to the challenge she stretched to her full height and released her arms from under her breast, coat flowing loosely once again.
Marie sighed and said, "Erik, tell me about your Mother."
Hatred flared through Erik's soul which reflected in his eyes. He noticed Marie's startled step back at his reaction. Eyes blazing, he once again bent his face down to hers and replied, icily, "The only thing you need to know about my Mother is that she was an uncaring, unreliable, whore!"
He stepped back from her, the cold air followed him. He looked at his reflection in the table and stood in a slouched position, unlike his normal erect one. He suddenly heard a quiet, yet strong voice behind him.
"Erik, I think that will be enough for today."
He heard steady, yet light steps to the door. He turned to find that most of her dark, blonde hair had fallen out from that weird looking contraption on her head. Her graceful movements reminded him so much of her.
When she had disappeared from his view he moaned in irritation. How am I going to get out of here?
Once outside the waiting room, Marie backed up against the wall, trying to pull her fragile nerves together. She breathed deeply, and then blew out a shaky breath.
"Hey, Marie."
She jumped as she looked up into Al's eyes.
"Calavicci, what are you trying to do, give me a heart attack."
He smirked and said, "No, if I was trying to kill you I would use my hands."
Marie pulled away from the wall, body trembling, despite her will to control it.
Al's smile faded, "Hey, are you all right, Doc?" He brought his hand to her shoulder in a thoughtful touch.
"I'm fine, Al, really," she said, as they walked away from the waiting room.
"Uh, oh, now I know something is wrong, you called me Al."
She looked at him questionably as he continued, " You usually call me, Admiral, Calavicci, or my favorite, Sexist Pig."
Marie smiled for the first time that morning and said, "How's Dr. Beckett."
"Frustrated as you can imagine, but he is still digging for clues. That kid never gives up. Are you getting anywhere with OG?"
"That man is the most disturbing, yet, fascinating person I have met in a long time. He is so full of rage, Al."
"Funny, he seemed so apathetic about everything when I spoke to him. He just didn't seem to care about anything. He was quite sarcastic as well," Al replied, his dislike for the man showing through.
"Oh, I saw that side of him too." She paused and then said, "You should have seen his reaction when I asked about his Mother, Al. It brings the whole Mommy Dearest thing to a whole new level. His eyes showed so much hatred and pain. A part of me wanted to run from him, while the other wanted so much to reach out and comfort him."
Al stopped and looked at her. Confusion washed over her when concern showed in his eyes.
"Be careful, Felder. He seems to have a strange affect on" he weighed his words,"people of the female gender."
"Oh, come on, Calavicci, do you honestly think I would let this man get to me."
Al replied quietly, "Why do I get a feeling he has already?"
Marie smiled sadly as she walked away from Al, toward her office. She turned around abruptly.
"Thank you, Admiral. One thing is for sure, I wasn't counting on meeting someone like Erik. But, just know that he wasn't counting on me. After all", Marie finished, as she opened the door to her office, "they don't call me the Barracuda for nothing."
She closed the door behind her, smiling at the shocked look that was on Al's face on the other side.
