Pollination 10/?

11:15 A.M. :

"Whoa. Just… whoa."

Boris chuckled at Evan's reaction to the enormous gym he'd put together in a room at the rear of the first floor.

"I'm pleased that you're impressed."

"Who wouldn't be? Am I allowed to use all this stuff too?"

"Of course. With one stipulation. You work with my personal trainer and learn how to use the equipment safely. Some of these machines require lengthy explanations to even comprehend what it is they do."

"No problem. I'll take it seriously, I promise. "

"I know you will."

"Getting stronger, looking better… first step on the road to more self-confidence, right?"

Boris squeezed Evan's shoulder lightly.

"Possibly, but I think a much bigger step will be accepting that I see nothing wrong with the way you are now."

"Yeah. The point is to get to where I understand my opinion counts, too. Isn't it?"

"No question, and you will reach that goal, Evan. I'll make sure of it. Hmmm, it's nearly eleven-thirty. Almost time for lunch. Shall we move back to the balcony?"

"Sure."

"You lead the way."

Evan grinned, knowing he was being afforded an opportunity to show off a little. He led them unerringly back to the right spot and, once they were seated, turned his face to the sunshine again, reveling in it. "You seem to enjoy the sun."

"I love it, but thanks to Hank I know enough to be careful how much I indulge. Sometimes… he knows what he's talking about."

"Yes, sometimes. Tell me more about your childhood together. He doesn't like to talk about it."

"No surprise there. I've always been sort of a… trouble magnet. Too much like my dad for Hank to stomach."

"That must have been much more fun as a boy than it is now. Being compared to your father, I mean."

"I used to think it was cool. My dad taught me to think of every new problem as an adventure. We just moved around a lot, we weren't always getting evicted 'cause he didn't pay… or having to run because one of his schemes exploded in his face. I still wanna believe in him. Now that I'm older… it's just a lot harder."

"Hank was the protector… the practical one."

"If this morning was anything to go by, he thinks he still is. He doesn't trust me… doesn't think I ever figured out what Dad really was. I know the truth. I just cut him a lot more slack than Hank does. Mom died… Pop did the best he could with two boys to support."

"So you aren't your father. But still the trouble magnet?"

Evan blushed and smiled as he looked down.

"Trouble can be fun."

"Very true. If you do it correctly."

"You?"

"In my younger days. Before you ask, yes you have a chance of eventually hearing a story or two, if you make the progress I anticipate."

"Not even a hint?"

"Lunch is here." Boris announced with a touch of sternness, making it evident the subject was closed. Evan let it go, silently vowing to earn a tale of Boris' misspent youth far sooner than the older man believed it would happen.

Forty minutes later the dishes had been retrieved by a servant and Boris was about to continue drawing Evan out as to the more unpleasant aspects of his past, but Dieter appeared and murmured into his employer's ear. Boris nodded and his major domo retreated. "I have to speak with an unexpected visitor, little one. It shouldn't take very long…"

"Hey, I know you have a business to run. I don't expect you to spend every minute with me. I can get around by myself, now… pretty much anyway. If the trainer's around, maybe?"

"He isn't scheduled until tomorrow, I'm afraid. Why don't you go explore the grounds? Fix them in your mind as you've done with the house."

Evan lit up.

"Yeah… the garden would be great right now. You're sure? I promise to scream bloody murder if Hank tries to kidnap and deprogram me."

Boris laughed softly.

"See that you do."

Evan strode off, a happy smile on his face, and Boris headed for his office to greet his guest.

"Miss Kadare. No, don't get up, please. If you're on the mission I believe you are, this conversation will be extremely short." He warned her as he moved behind his desk and claimed his chair.

"Firstly, Hank did ask me to come, but you should know that I don't agree with him. I… I suppose this visit is really for my own peace of mind. If you tell me Evan is here willingly, and that he's alright… I'll accept it and I won't worry."

"The answer to both is yes."

"But you initially tricked him to get him here?"

"No. I sent a message that I wanted to see him. Nothing deceitful, nothing underhanded. When he arrived, I explained what he could have here… what I could show and teach him. After a day of careful consideration, he made his own decision to take me up on my offer. It's a simple as that."

"But… if I had a few details, even one…"

"Those are between myself and Evan. Whether he chooses to tell you… is up to him."

"I understand. Hank won't be happy and he won't give up."

"I will deal with his salvos as they're launched."

"Alright. " Divya allowed and turned, reluctantly, to leave, hesitating at the last minute to make one last quiet statement. "You know… deep down I really do like Evan. He has a good heart. I'm actually relieved that *someone* took him under their wing. If you'd let me look in on him once in a while, on the condition, of course, that I agree not to report to Hank…"

"On those, terms you'd be welcome. Once in a while."

"Thank you."

"With the same understanding… the two of you may also communicate by phone and e-mail."

"He… he'll be under pretty tight control, then." Divya asked, suddenly uncertain.

"The way he was treated and spoken to this morning, I consider it protection, not control."

"I see. Hank didn't get specific about what he said. It seems I'll have to make him."

"You won't like what you hear. Be prepared to rein in your anger. Not that he doesn't *deserve* to sport a bruise. Or five…"

"But for Evan's sake you'll let me do the punching. Right?"

"For Evan's sake."

"Thank you." She repeated, spinning on her heel and stalking out, simultaneously pulling out her cell phone. "Jill? I need backup…"

TBC…..