A/N: Ann! Don't go into the creepy lab!
*sigh* See, she listens just as well as Raphael. :-p
Chapter 14 -Beginning-
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Bailey pushed his cold, wet nose into Ann's hand. She rolled over, reaching instinctively to grasp at the warm fur, to reassure herself that he really was there.
I was so afraid I dreamed Stephen bringing him in last night, she thought, a smile crossing her face. But here he is, back safe with me. Still, I wish Raphael had come himself and given me a chance to thank him.
She sighed, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed and reached for the silken band still folded on her nightstand. She sat there for a moment, fingering the band, feeling the eyeholes and running the tails through her fingers. Tears stung her eyes.
Why would he send his mask? Why didn't he bring Bailey home himself? Was it because Stephen was here? Oh Raphael…I wish you would come back. I really want to thank you in person.
Re-folding the band tenderly, she laid it on the nightstand and set about gathering her clothes.
"You'll be good, won't you, Bailey?" she asked. The dog let out a happy little yip. "Jackie will take good care of you while I'm gone," Ann told him. "She should be here soon to pick you up."
She made her way carefully to the bathroom, with Bailey bouncing and nudging her the entire way.
"Bailey! Down. Go to your bed!" she commanded, pointing. Bailey let out a disappointed whine, but his toenails clicked across the floor, letting Ann know he had gone to his bed to lie down.
What on earth has gotten into that dog? thought Ann. It's as if he wants to take me someplace. But I don't have time today! I've got to get ready to go. It's hard to believe I'm entering the program today! Doctor Stulir seemed to think I could have my sight restored in a few days, if all goes as he plans.
She showered quickly, drying herself and getting dressed in time to hear a soft knock at her front door. She heard Bailey bark and a thump as he jumped wildly at the door. Ann hurried out of the bathroom, toweling her hair.
"Bailey! Bailey, get down," she snapped. "Go! Go on your bed!" The dog whined again, but his toenails clicked across the floor.
"Ann? Is everything ok?" asked Jackie as Ann opened the door for her friend.
"Yes, I don't know what's gotten into Bailey this morning," replied Ann. "Oh!" She squealed as the dog nearly bowled her over. "Bailey! Get down," shouted Ann.
She felt a fury body pressing against her knees and heard Bailey whimper as he was forced backward.
"Ann, let me come in. I've got him, but I can't hold him," gasped Jackie.
Ann moved back, opening the door wider. She heard Jackie push it closed again behind her and Bailey's claws scrabbling against the floor as he was shoved back into the room.
"Bailey! Go lay down," snapped Ann. The dog's claws clicked on the floor as he made his way over to his pillow. Ann heard the thump of his body dropping down.
"What has gotten into that dog?" she grumbled.
"I don't know, but he seemed pretty determined to leave," said Jackie, sounding out of breath. "Is he always this wild in the mornings?"
"No," said Ann, shaking her head. "That's why I can't understand it. He's never like this."
"It's as if he wants to get out, to get away. You don't think he got sick while he was missing, do you?"
"Jackie, he's had all his vaccinations. He can't have rabies or anything like that," said Ann, half-smiling at her friend's worries. She frowned. "Are you sure you can handle him?"
"Well, I thought I could, but seeing him like this…" Jackie trailed off.
"Oh. Well, maybe I can call Stephen…" Ann shook her head, frustrated and worried.
Who else can I call on such short notice? Taking care of a large dog for a week, possibly longer, is a lot to ask of any friend.
"Well, why don't you call him?" suggested Jackie. "But if he can't, Ann, I'll still take him. I said I would. I just don't want him getting loose. I'd hate to be the one to lose him after you just got him back," she said, sounding apologetic.
"It's ok, Jackie," said Ann quickly. "If you're not comfortable, I don't want you to feel obligated. I'll call Stephen. If he can't take him, I'll try my vet. Perhaps I can board him for the week." Of course, he hates the vet's office. But if I have to, I have to.
She grabbed the cordless phone and dialed Stephen's number from memory. He picked up, sounding just a little harried.
"Hello?"
"Good morning, Stephen. It's Ann. Is this a bad time?"
"Oh, hello, Ann. No, it's fine. I'm just hunting down a copy of a paper I need for a meeting with one of the partners this morning."
"Ok. Well I was going to ask if you could possibly watch Bailey for a few days, but it sounds as if you're going to be busy…"
"I thought your friend Jackie was taking him."
"She was… but Bailey's acting very strangely. When Jackie arrived, he tried to get out. She's afraid she won't be able to handle him after all."
"I see. Well, Ann, I've really got to go to work this morning, but if Bailey can stay at your place, I could stop by at lunchtime and take him out, and again in the evening. I could pick him up, take him for a walk, and he could stay with me for the night. Would that help?"
"That would be great, Stephen," said Ann, relief flooding her. "Thank you so much."
"No problem, Ann. Anything to help."
"I'll give Jackie my key. She can drop it off to you later."
"Sounds great."
"Thanks again, Stephen. I know this is an inconvenience."
"Don't worry about it, Ann. I just hope this surgery works out well for you."
"Me too. I'll see you in a week."
"Sounds great. I'll look forward to taking you out on the town to celebrate."
Ann smiled as she hung up the phone. "Stephen says he can take care of Bailey. Could you take my key over to him?"
"I can do that, Ann, right after I drop you off," said Jackie, sounding more than a little relieved.
"Ok, well I need to take Bailey out for a quick walk, then we can go," said Ann. "Bailey, come."
The big dog obediently padded over to Ann, standing patiently while she buckled his harness on.
"What's that red silk thing he's got?" asked Jackie.
"What? Bailey!" Ann felt for the dog's mouth and found Raphael's mask dangling from his teeth. "Bad dog. He stole it from my nightstand. It belongs to the… guy who saved me from the kids. Remember, I told you about him."
"Wow," said Jackie. "That's some fancy necktie."
Ann smiled, but didn't correct her friend. She didn't want to explain why Raphael wore a mask. She wasn't sure she understood herself.
It's not as though it's to conceal his identity, she thought. She folded the mask neatly and tucked it into her coat pocket. I'll just carry this with me. It'll be my own personal good-luck charm, she thought with a wistful smile.
Taking a firm hold on Bailey's harness, Ann led him to the door. Bailey whined anxiously as she opened the door and led him down to the street.
"Park, Bailey," she commanded. Bailey ignored the command, steering her instead down the sidewalk toward town.
"No, Bailey," said Ann firmly. "Park."
Finally Bailey turned toward the familiar trails of Central park. Ann walked until he paused, and her nose told her he'd finished doing what he needed to do. She walked him back to her apartment, locking him in carefully before letting Jackie lead her to the elevator. They could hear Bailey's whine of protest until the doors slid closed.
Ann shook her head. "I don't know what's gotten into him," she said.
"I guess he's just anxious about your leaving," said Jackie. "They say dogs can sense stuff like that."
"I don't know," said Ann. "Maybe."
Jackie led Ann to her little car and opened the door for her. Ann settled in, feeling for the seatbelt and buckling it carefully. The ride to Doctor Stulir's clinic didn't take long. Jackie whistled, opening Ann's door and letting her take her arm.
"This is some fancy place, Ann," she said, sounding impressed. "And I mean fan-cy. Watch your step there, the curb's just ahead of you. Then there are a bunch of stone stairs." Carefully, keeping up a running commentary on their surroundings, Jackie led Ann into the building.
"Hi, this is Ann Peters," said Jackie.
Ann frowned in irritation. She hated it when people spoke as if she wasn't there or if she were incapable of introducing herself.
"Ah, Miss Peters." A smooth voice and Ann felt fingers brush her hand. She grasped the offered hand firmly, giving it a shake. "I'm Brian Johanson, Doctor Stulir's assistant."
Ann liked the warm-sounding voice right away. The young man had smooth, warm hands and a firm, but not too-tight grip.
"If you'll just come with me, I can show you to the computer terminal where you can enter your information and get registered. Then we'll go to the exam room and Dr. Stulir will complete your initial exam. If all goes well, your surgery is scheduled for this afternoon."
"So soon?" Jackie asked.
Ann nodded, half-turning toward her friend. "Yes. I did all my pre-op tests with Doctor Fletcher at the hospital. I didn't want to hang about, Jackie."
"Wow, Ann, you're really determined to go through with this, aren't you?" Jackie's voice suddenly sounded uncertain.
"I am," said Ann quietly.
"Well, I hope it works out," said Jackie finally. "You call me, ok?"
"I will. Thanks, Jackie," said Ann. She felt Jackie's hand touch her shoulder tentatively, and she turned, holding her arms out to the other woman. Jackie wrapped her up in a warm embrace for a moment before letting her go.
"Ok, well I'll see you in a few days, Ok, Ann?"
"I sure hope so," said Ann with a smile. "Better yet I hope to see you."
Jackie laughed. Her footsteps clicked out the door, leaving Ann alone with Brian.
"Are you ready to get started, Ann?" he asked.
Ann took a deep breath and smiled. "I'm ready when you are, Brian."