Part Two
Entering her suite Alexia quickly assembled the items her father wanted and placed them on the table just inside the door. With any luck he'd just take them and leave, but Alexia wasn't going to hold her breath on that possibility as she retreated to her bedroom. 'Maybe he'll have cooled off a little. Yeah, that has to be it. After all he was laughing and seemed to be enjoying himself. Maybe things really are different this time.'
Alexia knew she was a coward for hiding in her room, but still she held onto her hope like a lifeline as she began to assemble her clothes. Her father's choice of clothing naturally, but it would be better than listening to the berating comments he'd inflict on her if she didn't wear them. 'Why do I bother anyway?' Alexia asked herself. 'It's not like I'm actually giving the lecture!' Even in her mind the resentment was distinctive. Bruce seemed to feel that she wasn't capable of handling such a task without screwing it up and embarrassing him in the process. That's why he'd put together a light and sound show for the audience. After a brief introduction she would become nothing more than an ornament.
Alexia had been in the en-suite bathroom fixing her hair when suddenly the outer door slammed. Panic began to rise once more in her as she reached over to ensure that the bathroom door was locked. Almost immediately she heard her father pounding on the bedroom door.
"I know you're in there you spineless, pathetic excuse for a daughter," he screamed at her. With each word, each sound, Alexia flinched, desperately trying hard not to break down and cry. "To think my wife died giving you to me. If I'd known what I'd be getting in her place…" the familiar tirade continued as she sank to the floor, and hugged her knees to her chest. Alexia knew the lies for what they were, Bruce had never been married. Heck, she was almost positive that he wasn't even her biological father, but that didn't stop his words from hurting. Still, he was the man that raised her, sort of. Bruce's curses continued, as did the pounding on the door.
Finally it ended with him telling Alexia he didn't have time for this now. 'After their lectures was another story' she thought. Just before leaving he'd let loose with the usual threats warning her not to embarrass him or else, but they barely registered with the trembling teen.
Things hadn't changed after all. No matter how hard she tried to please him she always seemed to do something wrong. 'What's wrong with me?' she asked silently as tears course down her cheeks. 'Why does he hate me so much? If not for him I would have never been born. What did I do?' Alexia cried for a few moments before returning to the bedroom. Leaning against the wall she stared out the window, just wishing that she could be free as the birds that flew in the crystalline sky. Unfortunately that was one wish of many that would go unfulfilled for her. Alexia was his property as he reminded her often, and he wasn't going to let her go. Sighing she headed back to the bathroom to clean up before heading to the lecture hall.
Meanwhile, Nathan and Lucas had been in the auditorium for several minutes. Lucas' pensive mood continued despite his father's attempts to bring him out of it. Nathan worried that he'd over reacted to the incident upstairs, silently he berated himself for shaking the boy. He'd no excuse for it, he knew what Lucas had been through with his parents, he had just forgotten for a moment what that meant to their relationship. The captain became concerned that he might also be taking out old frustrations he'd had with Robert on Lucas. That wasn't fair to his adopted son, but then life didn't seem to be fair where Lucas was concerned. Nathan sighed as he spied Lucas holding their seats and wondered what his son's future would hold; then tried to focus on the conversation he was supposed to be having.
With his father occupied with some acquaintances, Lucas shifted in his seat trying to get comfortable. Finally leaning his arms on his knees Lucas was grateful his father was currently distracted. At least he could think in peace. There was something about the way the Grantvins related to each other that triggered feeling of fear and uneasiness in him. If Nathan were here he'd only pile him with questions he didn't have the answers for. 'It was almost as if…Nah! Couldn't be.' He was just over reacting as usual, shaking his head Lucas silently laughed at himself as his mind homed in on the improvements he was going to make to the vocorder. Lucas' posture relaxed as he became immersed with his plans, but on a subconscious level he never let his father out of his sight.
Several minutes later, as people began to settle in their seats, Nathan turned to his son asking "So who's the speaker for this one?"
"Apparently, Alexia Grantvin," Lucas replied. Nathan raised an eyebrow as the younger man merely gave a shrug to the unspoken question. Neither had the opportunity to comment further as the lights began to dim, focusing attention on the podium at the front of the room.
The young woman who took the stage couldn't have been more opposite to the one they'd both met not an hour before. Confident and commanding was the presence she brought to the room and as she began her speech Alexia's audience became entranced. Nathan's opinion of her grew further when she reacted calmly to an equipment malfunction that had prevented her from showing a video as part of her presentation. Scientists were often known to start yelling at the technicians to fix the problem, Alexia changed tactics instead, starting a Q & A segment. She'd acted like this was the plan all along.
After the first couple of questions Alexia requested that the lights be turned up so that she could see everyone. She answered everyone's inquiries as best she could, even using examples of his/her own research to help illustrate a point. For the first time in her life, Alexia was truly grateful for her flawless memory.
Lucas just stared in amazement. In no time this girl had managed to turn a 'lecture' into a well-rounded group discussion. Alexia had never claimed to have all the answers, and she genuinely seemed grateful for suggestions offered to her. All too soon though a small man approached and whispered in her ear.
"I've just been informed that we have gone 'significantly over our time allotment'," Alexia laughed and addressed her audience. "So I will answer just one more question." Over a dozen hands shot into the air, and Alexia looked at each person before choosing a dour-faced, elderly, gentleman in the back row, "Your question Dr. Kline?"
"Just how old are you Ms. Grantvin? What are your credentials?" he asked huffily.
Alexia looked non-plussed considering the rude way the question was delivered. In fact she laughed before responding. "I am seventeen sir. As to my credentials, they are public knowledge, though you personally know of some of it as you were my professor in quantum mechanics at Berkeley seven years ago."
The good doctor went a brilliant shade of red that brought out guffaws at his expense. Alexia thanked her audience and with a slight bow exited the room. The noise level rose as various people began discussions. Looking at his watch as he and the captain left, Lucas realized they'd been in there for almost three hours.
"Quite a speaker isn't she," Nathan asked his son, as they left the auditorium. When all he got was a nod in response he continued, "I don't know about you, Kiddo, but I'm hungry. Lets go find something to eat," again Lucas just nodded, but followed his father's lead.
They spent the afternoon shopping and touring some of the historical areas of the city, absorbing in anything that didn't have to do with work. Though things got a little ugly when Nathan had to drag Lucas out of a body piercing shop. He'd found his son trying to convince the manager of his age of majority, thus not requiring parental consent. Lucas it seemed wanted a nose ring, and Nathan's view on the subject was 'over his dead body.' When Lucas, thinking that maybe a nose ring was too public for his father, started pushing for a tongue ring as a compromise he was very disappointed in his father's unyielding attitude. He only backed off under threat of grounding until he was eighteen or came to his senses, whichever came last.
They returned to the hotel barely on speaking terms, and proceeded to get ready for dinner. Much to Lucas' dismay Dr. Grantvin's choice of restaurant meant he'd have to wear a suit. He hated suits, they reminded him too much of the stuffy, pompous people he used to be paraded in front of. The only redeeming fact in regards to this dinner was that Alexia was going to be there. At least she was his own age. He loved his father and his friends from the SeaQuest, but it was hard being among adults all the time. Now all he needed was to find something in common with her, who knew, maybe they had the same taste in music.
Unfortunately when they arrived at the restaurant Alexia wasn't with the large group already seated at the table reserved for them in a private room. Bruce, who upon inquiry of her absence, answered with, "Oh, she was exhausted after the lecture and needed to rest. She sends her regrets to everyone." That started a round of approval and congratulations on a lecture well done by those who'd attended. Dr. Grantvin seemed momentarily astonished over all the praise that was piled on his daughter. He quickly took all the credit of course having taught her all he knew.
Seven other scientists and their spouses had joined them, and while some of the topics discussed were of interest, Lucas felt like he just didn't belong. The fact that Bruce sent him scathing looks every time Lucas either offered or was asked his opinion didn't help; though no one else around him seemed to notice this. So Lucas just sat and picked at his dinner as the conversations milled around him. He knew the excitement of the day was catching up to him when he started to feel tired and achy, especially his left wrist.
Nathan noticing his son rubbing his wrist leaned over and asked, "Your wrist bothering you?"
"A little I guess. Probably hurt it when I fell this morning," Lucas offered with a dismissive shrug.
"Maybe we should have it looked at," The captain stated, concern in his tone.
"Nah, it's fine really!" Lucas feigned a grin, he didn't want to spoil dinner for his dad.
"Okay if you're sure, but I want the Doc to check it out when we get home," Nathan said firmly. Lucas just rolled his eyes and groaned, resulting in a few chuckles from those who'd heard the exchange. "Besides, I thought you'd landed on your right side?" Nathan continued joking. No one else at the table seemed to notice Bruce's expression darken for a split second. A sudden chill went through Lucas as he quickly looked away mumbling something about Nathan's memory banks being corrupted with age. That sent another round of laughter through the table.
A moment later Bruce excused himself from the table and Lucas took this as his opportunity to make an exit. Apologizing to his father, and the others, he explained that he was suddenly feeling tired and wished to turn in early. Going to bed early was so unlike Lucas, Nathan felt concern wash over him. However, his son did look tired, and he reasoned that it was possible that Lucas was still sulking from the afternoon, so he didn't put up much of an argument when Lucas insisted that he stay behind.
As he was leaving the restaurant Lucas saw Dr. Grantvin off to the side speaking into a PAL. He decided to say goodnight, not wanting to embarrass Nathan with rudeness. However, as he approached the older man the doctor's agitation became more apparent.
"…I'm tired of your feeble excuses, you'd better be on your best behavior," a pause as Bruce listened. "Do you want me to leave dinner so we can talk about this? No? Then do as you're told!" he shouted, and abruptly terminated the call. It was only then that Bruce noticed Lucas standing nearby. He didn't like the boy, thought he was entirely too disrespectful of his betters, but still Bruce put on a smile and asked amicably "Was there something I can do for you, Lucas?"
"I, uh, just wanted to say goodnight and thank you for inviting me to dinner," Lucas prayed that his voice was steady. The older man's venomous words had startled him.
"Leaving so soon? We haven't even had desert yet," the doctor's voice was almost syrupy.
"I apologize sir. I'm feeling quite tired and it has been a rather long day," Lucas offered extending his arm.
"I'm sure you'll feel better after some rest," Bruce declared politely while they shook hands.
Saying goodbye, Lucas left the restaurant and hailed a cab. All the way back to the hotel he pondered over the events of the day, especially Alexia. Unfortunately whenever he thought of her sooner or later his mind would turn to Bruce. Lucas felt a tugging in the back of his mind as he tried to figure out what it was that caused him to feel so uncomfortable about the man.
So lost in his thoughts, Lucas didn't even notice the rather large denomination of money he handed the cab's driver. In fact he couldn't even remember how he got to his hotel room. He just sighed and readied himself for bed. He must have been more tired than he'd thought for he was asleep almost before he hit the pillow.
It wasn't late when Nathan returned to their suite, so he was a little surprised to find Lucas asleep. He'd been hoping they could have talked about earlier, but it looked like it would have to wait. Nathan got ready for bed before pulling out a book to read. A short while later he too was asleep
On to part three