See previous chapters for disclaimers.
Special Thanks to Saavik and Sam for their encouragement. Next chapter up soon!
Thinking that he must have gone out for the morning she wandered around the outskirts of the room, skimming her hand over the leather spines of the many books. Walking back into the hall she walked past her room, the warm coffee grasped in both hands and peeked around the corner at the end. What must have been his bedroom was situated at the end of another short hallway, the door closed. Without stopping and giving herself a chance to think about what she was doing she quietly made her way down the hall, and grasped the doorknob. It was cold under her recently warmed hand and she hesitated for a moment before turning the knob very slowly, hearing the click as the door slowly opened. Holding her breath she slipped halfway into the room, looking around quickly making sure she was in fact alone. The room was large, and had a massive bed in the centre. Turning her gaze slowly she took in the antique furniture that graced the room, the small pile of books that sat on the bedside table and the immaculate way it was all laid out. So enthralled was she, that she didn't hear the footsteps behind her, and so it wasn't surprising that she nearly died on the spot when she heard a distinctly lower, more dangerous tone from behind her.
" Find anything interesting Emily?"
Jumping nearly off the ground, the coffee mug slipped from her fingers and fell with a loud shatter to the floor. Taking a step back from the dark stare she was receiving she felt the shard of glass sink into her sole a minute too late. With a short gasp she bent her leg at the knee, cradling her foot with one hand, but never taking her eyes of the now slightly amused glare she was receiving.
" I I I was just l-l-looking for you" she said, a flash of pain in her eyes as blood starting dripping from her foot to the cold stone floor.
" Now that's the first lie you've told me since we met. I'm disappointed." He said all the while watching the myriad of emotions sweep her face. He saw the flash of shame, before her head dipped down to regard her bleeding foot.
" I'm sorry," she muttered; mad at herself for being so stupid.
" We'll talk about it later. Right now lets see to that foot hmmm?"
Moving around to her side, he grasped her upper arm with one hand and slid his other one across her back, and under her arm.
" Now lean your weight on me, and we'll walk to the kitchen"
Placing her foot gingerly to the floor, she placed her weight on the other foot and basically hopped down the hall to the kitchen, stopping halfway to let out a groan. Once in the kitchen, he pulled out a chair from the dining table and helped her sit down. Walking to a cupboard he came back with a small black leather bag, the kind she had seen the doctors having on TV programs. Placing it on the table, he sat on the chair facing her and grasped her ankle gently, pulling her foot up to rest on his knee. Tilting his head slightly he could see it would not need stitches, but was deep enough to require a few butterfly ones and a good cleaning with a antibacterial swab.
Emily shifted on her chair when he gently touched the glass, still embedded in her foot. Patting her leg comfortingly, he looked up to see the worried face.
" Thankfully it didn't go too deep, but I've got to clean it out. Now this may sting a little." He saw her tense up, squeezing her eyes shut.
Reaching in his bag he removed a pair of thick tweezers. Shifting her foot slightly he grasped the shard and quickly removed it, eliciting a small groan from Emily. Looking up he could see her fingers gripping the sides of the chair, her knuckles white.
" Try to relax Emily, I'll be as quick as I can" he said soothingly.
Emily opened her eyes and was glad to see him looking at her with a smile playing on his lips. She watched him reach into his bad and remove a small packet. Ripping it open he removed a small white pad and quickly pressed it to her foot. She wasn't quite prepared for the stinging and let out a small yelp.
" Ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch" she whispered, squeezing her eyes closed again and sub-conscienly pulling her foot back. He had a firm hold on her ankle and continued to bath her foot with the wipe. Removing it he reached into to bag again and removed a thick cotton bandage and small gauze. Pressing the gauze to the wound he pressed firmly and proceeded to wrap the bandage around her foot firmly, placing a small bit of tape at the end to hold it in place.
" All finished" he said, placing her foot gently back onto the floor.
Opening her now teary eyes she let out a deep breath, experimentally wiggling her toes.
" I'm really sorry," she whispered, looking down at her now bandaged foot.
Dr Lector studied her as she sat. Shoulders slumped, teary eyed and miserable. He decided that she was punishing herself enough without him. Standing he helped her to her feet and helped her to the living room, sitting himself down next to her.
" Emily, look at me" he said seriously, his voice that of an angry school teacher.
Hesitantly she lifted her eyes to his, meeting his intense gaze with tiny smile, which wasn't returned.
" You are a guest in my home Emily. It is extremely rude to snoop in places that you shouldn't. Please see to it that you don't do it again." He saw her bottom lip quiver slightly before her teeth came down to clamp it. She looked at him longingly.
" I'm really sorry," she whispered again. She couldn't think of anything else to say.
" Yes I know," he said a little more soothingly.
" If there is something you want to know or see Emily, you only need ask and I may or may not allow it. Lets not have any more accidents hmmm?"
She looked up at him thankfully, and nodded her head, a small smile lighting her features.
" Ok."
" Good then, its settled" he said standing up.
" Well it looks like your going to be off your feet for the rest of the day. Why don't I get us a snack and we can talk hmm?"
She looked a little disappointed with the thought of being housebound all day, but lightened a little at the mention of food. Smiling he made his way to the kitchen.
Calling from the fridge, he began to list her options.
" You can have eggs, bacon, fruit, toast, cereal, or if you're really hungry there is some fine lamb and caviar left from my dinner last night."
He heard her chuckle rolling in from the living room, and closed his eyes, enjoying it.
" Toast sounds just fine Dr Lector," she said with a smile on her lips, glad that he wasn't mad anymore.
After eating her toast and marmalade, taking a hot bath (albeit with her foot hanging out) and changing into clean clothes she felt better than she had in months. A dull throb in her tender foot was instantly picked up by Dr Lector and he gave her some painkillers. Emily was sitting in her room when a soft knock came, followed by Dr Lector. Putting her notebook to the one side, she sat up, crossing her legs Indian style and patted the bed. Dr Lector smiled and sat at the bottom of the mattress. Studying each other silently for a few moments it was she who began speaking first.
" I know I can't stay here much longer Dr Lector. Its dangerous for the for the both of us."
He nodded his head slowly, glad that she knew the simple fact. It had been bothering him for days.
" Alas sweet Emily it is true. But believe me when I say we will meet again. I will be keeping a close eye on you." He added with a wink.
" I have set up a Swiss bank account for you. You alone will be able to access it, whenever you feel the need. Don't be shy in using it Emily. Do with it, as you will. I personally hope you will travel. There are thousands of diamonds on this shore we call earth Emily, I hope you at least see a few of them. You may also consider going back to studying. There is no such thing as too much knowledge."
She knew there was no point arguing with him, he had already given the subject some thought.
" Thank you" she said honestly. A frown crossed her forehead and she opened her mouth as if to speak but wasn't sure exactly what she wanted to say.
" Out with it Emily"
She smiled at his perceptiveness.
" Have you always been able to do that? Or was it something that developed with time? I am going to grow these super powers when I reach a certain age?" she laughed slightly at her wording, noting the amused glare she received from him.
" You're evading the question Emily. And I don't have super powers, nor will you." He added as a second thought.
She looked down at her hands again, something that usually irritated him, but he found it strangely charming with her.
" Can I stay? Only for a few more days? Don't say yes if you think it's a bad idea cause sometimes I'm just a regular spaz and don't think things through enough and I promise I'll behave, no more snooping around or anything like that and."
" Emily you're babbling again. It really is a bad habit, one I can assure you you never inherited from me. And yes, you can stay for as long as you like."
The smile that he received could have lit the dullest church and he felt truly humbled that he had some part in putting it there. Collecting himself he once again stood.
" Now that the easy part is over with, lets move onto the more serious subjects"
"Easy?" she squeaked
" Yes Emily. The hard part is figuring out how you're going to manage to walk to the opera house with me tonight." He winked at her and enjoyed the slightly irritated glare she received from her.
" You Dr Lector are an evil man,".
Special Thanks to Saavik and Sam for their encouragement. Next chapter up soon!
Thinking that he must have gone out for the morning she wandered around the outskirts of the room, skimming her hand over the leather spines of the many books. Walking back into the hall she walked past her room, the warm coffee grasped in both hands and peeked around the corner at the end. What must have been his bedroom was situated at the end of another short hallway, the door closed. Without stopping and giving herself a chance to think about what she was doing she quietly made her way down the hall, and grasped the doorknob. It was cold under her recently warmed hand and she hesitated for a moment before turning the knob very slowly, hearing the click as the door slowly opened. Holding her breath she slipped halfway into the room, looking around quickly making sure she was in fact alone. The room was large, and had a massive bed in the centre. Turning her gaze slowly she took in the antique furniture that graced the room, the small pile of books that sat on the bedside table and the immaculate way it was all laid out. So enthralled was she, that she didn't hear the footsteps behind her, and so it wasn't surprising that she nearly died on the spot when she heard a distinctly lower, more dangerous tone from behind her.
" Find anything interesting Emily?"
Jumping nearly off the ground, the coffee mug slipped from her fingers and fell with a loud shatter to the floor. Taking a step back from the dark stare she was receiving she felt the shard of glass sink into her sole a minute too late. With a short gasp she bent her leg at the knee, cradling her foot with one hand, but never taking her eyes of the now slightly amused glare she was receiving.
" I I I was just l-l-looking for you" she said, a flash of pain in her eyes as blood starting dripping from her foot to the cold stone floor.
" Now that's the first lie you've told me since we met. I'm disappointed." He said all the while watching the myriad of emotions sweep her face. He saw the flash of shame, before her head dipped down to regard her bleeding foot.
" I'm sorry," she muttered; mad at herself for being so stupid.
" We'll talk about it later. Right now lets see to that foot hmmm?"
Moving around to her side, he grasped her upper arm with one hand and slid his other one across her back, and under her arm.
" Now lean your weight on me, and we'll walk to the kitchen"
Placing her foot gingerly to the floor, she placed her weight on the other foot and basically hopped down the hall to the kitchen, stopping halfway to let out a groan. Once in the kitchen, he pulled out a chair from the dining table and helped her sit down. Walking to a cupboard he came back with a small black leather bag, the kind she had seen the doctors having on TV programs. Placing it on the table, he sat on the chair facing her and grasped her ankle gently, pulling her foot up to rest on his knee. Tilting his head slightly he could see it would not need stitches, but was deep enough to require a few butterfly ones and a good cleaning with a antibacterial swab.
Emily shifted on her chair when he gently touched the glass, still embedded in her foot. Patting her leg comfortingly, he looked up to see the worried face.
" Thankfully it didn't go too deep, but I've got to clean it out. Now this may sting a little." He saw her tense up, squeezing her eyes shut.
Reaching in his bag he removed a pair of thick tweezers. Shifting her foot slightly he grasped the shard and quickly removed it, eliciting a small groan from Emily. Looking up he could see her fingers gripping the sides of the chair, her knuckles white.
" Try to relax Emily, I'll be as quick as I can" he said soothingly.
Emily opened her eyes and was glad to see him looking at her with a smile playing on his lips. She watched him reach into his bad and remove a small packet. Ripping it open he removed a small white pad and quickly pressed it to her foot. She wasn't quite prepared for the stinging and let out a small yelp.
" Ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch" she whispered, squeezing her eyes closed again and sub-conscienly pulling her foot back. He had a firm hold on her ankle and continued to bath her foot with the wipe. Removing it he reached into to bag again and removed a thick cotton bandage and small gauze. Pressing the gauze to the wound he pressed firmly and proceeded to wrap the bandage around her foot firmly, placing a small bit of tape at the end to hold it in place.
" All finished" he said, placing her foot gently back onto the floor.
Opening her now teary eyes she let out a deep breath, experimentally wiggling her toes.
" I'm really sorry," she whispered, looking down at her now bandaged foot.
Dr Lector studied her as she sat. Shoulders slumped, teary eyed and miserable. He decided that she was punishing herself enough without him. Standing he helped her to her feet and helped her to the living room, sitting himself down next to her.
" Emily, look at me" he said seriously, his voice that of an angry school teacher.
Hesitantly she lifted her eyes to his, meeting his intense gaze with tiny smile, which wasn't returned.
" You are a guest in my home Emily. It is extremely rude to snoop in places that you shouldn't. Please see to it that you don't do it again." He saw her bottom lip quiver slightly before her teeth came down to clamp it. She looked at him longingly.
" I'm really sorry," she whispered again. She couldn't think of anything else to say.
" Yes I know," he said a little more soothingly.
" If there is something you want to know or see Emily, you only need ask and I may or may not allow it. Lets not have any more accidents hmmm?"
She looked up at him thankfully, and nodded her head, a small smile lighting her features.
" Ok."
" Good then, its settled" he said standing up.
" Well it looks like your going to be off your feet for the rest of the day. Why don't I get us a snack and we can talk hmm?"
She looked a little disappointed with the thought of being housebound all day, but lightened a little at the mention of food. Smiling he made his way to the kitchen.
Calling from the fridge, he began to list her options.
" You can have eggs, bacon, fruit, toast, cereal, or if you're really hungry there is some fine lamb and caviar left from my dinner last night."
He heard her chuckle rolling in from the living room, and closed his eyes, enjoying it.
" Toast sounds just fine Dr Lector," she said with a smile on her lips, glad that he wasn't mad anymore.
After eating her toast and marmalade, taking a hot bath (albeit with her foot hanging out) and changing into clean clothes she felt better than she had in months. A dull throb in her tender foot was instantly picked up by Dr Lector and he gave her some painkillers. Emily was sitting in her room when a soft knock came, followed by Dr Lector. Putting her notebook to the one side, she sat up, crossing her legs Indian style and patted the bed. Dr Lector smiled and sat at the bottom of the mattress. Studying each other silently for a few moments it was she who began speaking first.
" I know I can't stay here much longer Dr Lector. Its dangerous for the for the both of us."
He nodded his head slowly, glad that she knew the simple fact. It had been bothering him for days.
" Alas sweet Emily it is true. But believe me when I say we will meet again. I will be keeping a close eye on you." He added with a wink.
" I have set up a Swiss bank account for you. You alone will be able to access it, whenever you feel the need. Don't be shy in using it Emily. Do with it, as you will. I personally hope you will travel. There are thousands of diamonds on this shore we call earth Emily, I hope you at least see a few of them. You may also consider going back to studying. There is no such thing as too much knowledge."
She knew there was no point arguing with him, he had already given the subject some thought.
" Thank you" she said honestly. A frown crossed her forehead and she opened her mouth as if to speak but wasn't sure exactly what she wanted to say.
" Out with it Emily"
She smiled at his perceptiveness.
" Have you always been able to do that? Or was it something that developed with time? I am going to grow these super powers when I reach a certain age?" she laughed slightly at her wording, noting the amused glare she received from him.
" You're evading the question Emily. And I don't have super powers, nor will you." He added as a second thought.
She looked down at her hands again, something that usually irritated him, but he found it strangely charming with her.
" Can I stay? Only for a few more days? Don't say yes if you think it's a bad idea cause sometimes I'm just a regular spaz and don't think things through enough and I promise I'll behave, no more snooping around or anything like that and."
" Emily you're babbling again. It really is a bad habit, one I can assure you you never inherited from me. And yes, you can stay for as long as you like."
The smile that he received could have lit the dullest church and he felt truly humbled that he had some part in putting it there. Collecting himself he once again stood.
" Now that the easy part is over with, lets move onto the more serious subjects"
"Easy?" she squeaked
" Yes Emily. The hard part is figuring out how you're going to manage to walk to the opera house with me tonight." He winked at her and enjoyed the slightly irritated glare she received from her.
" You Dr Lector are an evil man,".