PerspectivesII Chapter 12
Perspectives II
MarshAngel

Chapter 12




Andrew walked down the hall from the ICU at Juuban General Hospital. He was grateful that he had at last finished his rounds for the day. With any luck there would be no complications with any of his patients and he could finally go home and get some rest.

He was so completely and utterly frustrated. Normally the long hours he put in at the hospital didn't bother him at all, but ever since he'd returned from San Francisco he just couldn't seem to focus on anything. His feelings were a muddle of confusion, love, guilt and the stress of it all was beginning to give him a headache.

For the first time, to the surprise of the assisting nurse, Yuka, he had lost his patience and become irritable. He was snapping at people, even the mother of one of his patients, not that she hadn't deserved it, constantly intruding asking what he was doing to help her son, and wanting to know each and every detail of what he was doing. It wasn't as though the boy was seriously injured, but he should have been more understanding.

Where he wanted to be right now was in Mina's arms and the thought made him feel guilty for neglecting Rita. He had been in a relationship with this woman he thought he'd loved for so long but these past few years they had been growing apart. They'd been engaged for such a long time, but they're relationship had long grown stale. It was a fight to stay together. A silent fight, as they rarely said much to each other anymore.

He would have to tell her about Mina soon. He couldn't go on like this. He didn't know where he'd go from there but he supposed he'd have to figure it out soon.

He came to the nurse's station and leaned against the counter, waiting for Isuke one of the few male nurses he was friendly with, to give him his messages and any other information he needed before he could leave. Caught up in his thoughts he didn't see or hear the three other nurses that worked at the counter smile and sigh as he let out a breath and ran his fingers through his hair. He was aware that half the female staff seemed to have a crush on him, which he thought flattering though for the most part he paid no attention.

He shuffled through the papers, that Isuke handed him; general notes from nurses and his colleagues and most important of all, a message from Mina. He'd call her when he got home. Rita wouldn't be there. For all his knowledge, he couldn't figure what an archaeologist could be working on so late at night.

Serena and her sister were enjoying the beautiful fall day. Although it wasn't quite like Tokyo, or Irene's Paris home the falling leaves and golden sunsets over the bay were absolutely beautiful. It was a bright day and it seemed everything was just perfect in the world. Irene had met Serena at their favorite café and decided to enjoy the afternoon outside drinking tea and talking about ideas for their wedding.

Irene looked over at her sister. She was stirring her tea, looking into the depths of the steamy brown liquid as though it were the most fascinating thing in the world, but her mind was elsewhere. A slight frown registered on her face.

"Earth to Serena, anyone there? Is something wrong? You seem a little out of it today? You and Loverboy had a fight or something?"

To Serena's annoyance, Irene enjoyed hearing about or watching the two argue, they knew each other so well and were so generally agreeable on everything else it was amusing to watch the two argue over minor, and extremely petty things. She and Michael couldn't help grinning and eventually laughing hysterically, when the couple had argued over the fact that Darien had woken up with feathers in his mouth one morning. Of course she had countered with the fact that maybe if he kept his mouth closed when he slept, and didn't snore so much, he wouldn't have a problem; Besides why was he chewing on her wings. The argument had only gotten more amusing from that point on.

"No we didn't have an argument! This isn't about me at all, this is about Mina."

"Mina? What about Mina? She just left a few days ago. I'm sure she was happy to return to LA, she probably has another acting job planned already."

"Incidentally she left around the same time Andrew did."

"What are you getting at, Sere?" She hated when Serena did that. What often seemed so obvious to her, due to her ability to know just what people were feeling, was often completely lost on others.

"There's something between those two," she stated simply. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. In a way I expected something like this to happen, I just didn't expect it to be with him, it didn't seem very likely.

"What are you talking about? I thought you said Andrew and Rita have been together for years?"

"No one's perfect, Ren."

"Are you saying that Andrew's having an affair with Mina?"

"Yes. But this isn't just any affair; they're in love. I'm worried about what could happen. I didn't see much of Rita when she was here but I have to assume she would be very upset if she ever found out.

Irene was completely shocked. She had never even noticed anything between the two while they were here. But she figured she just didn't know Andrew that well, so maybe there were signs she simply missed.

"I know, I would be," Irene said. "I can't even begin to consider what I would do if I found out Michael was cheating on me."

"It's not a good feeling to think the person you love doesn't love you anymore," Serena said seriously. "Although I know now that Darien wasn't cheating on me, it hurt so badly at the time. My entire world seemed to fall apart. I can't say I approve of Mina and Andrew's relationship, but it isn't my place to tell them what to do with their life."

"Isn't it?" Irene questioned. "You are our princess Sere. Even as your sister I am a part of your royal guard and subject to your rule. If you think what she is doing places her in danger it is your right to object and
restrict her from doing any such thing."

"Ren, when I left Tokyo I gave up my right as leader of the scouts, a position that is rightfully yours anyway. Even as their Queen, I wouldn't dare intrude on their life or force them to make decisions that they are against. I can't protect Mina from heartbreak. It is my job to protect her physical well being, but her life is hers to lead.

I may have the power to control everything they do but that would make me as bad as any of the enemies they have faced in the past. Besides," she added with a smile, "I have a feeling that she and Andrew belong
together despite his relationship with Rita.

Irene smiled at her sister's wisdom. She was happy she was not in her position of leadership and power. She would have been overwhelmed by the power Serena held; a power that could destroy worlds and heal millions.

Just when Serena had finished her lecture, her cell phone rang. She went hunting through her bag for the small phone, and it took another four rings before she was able to answer.

"Hello?"

"Serena, this is Mina," the voice said hurriedly. "We need to talk."

"Yes. We do."