What was this guy's deal? Soren's curiosity was in overdrive as she finished gathering her things and left Gale to lock up. Downstairs he seemed almost rude yet he was perfectly willing waste his whole afternoon waiting to talk to someone? She considered and rejected several possibilities. Her instincts told her he didn't need her for medical purposes judging by the look of him he was very healthy. A small part of her mind was mocking her about all the 'healthy' parts she was noticing. What? She asked herself. Just because I'm a professional, doesn't mean I can't notice he's sexy. Really, really sexy with gorgeous eyes and spectacular butt. Not to mention that whole juggling-for-the-kids thing was damn adorable. Her patient, Mrs. Dorn was so wound up about the young man in the waiting room she'd just had to sneak a peak for herself. It was so cute to watch him get all embarrassed over accepting thanks from the woman.
"So what is it you want to speak to me about?" she asked
"Y-Yes hello I'm Trowa Barton, I'm here on behalf of some friends of mine. I was told you would be the best person to help them." He said quietly.
"What makes you think I can help them?" she asked Soren was having difficulties not staring into those incredibly green eyes.
"Well to begin with you were a child prodigy, and followed in your family's long line of medical practitioners. Your training was directed towards neurosurgery, but you changed at the last minute and joined your family's practice. Although most doctors care about their patents, you have an excellent reputation for going above and beyond to ensure your patients care. You -"
"Alright, alright. I get it. You've done your homework on me. I still don't see why I'm the best person to help them."
"Their situations are unique. And your experience in multiple fields including medical research would be a great asset."
She didn't want to give in, but something in her always caved when someone was in need of her help. "Fine then, have them call Gale to make an appointment, and I'll see if I can help them." She stepped out of the front doors of the lobby and made to leave, but he stopped her.
"Actually you'll be needed to join a research team for several weeks."
"WHAT? Absolutely not! I will not leave my patients for that long. I don't operate that way. If they want my help they'll have to come to me. I'm sorry but it looks like you wasted your afternoon for nothing." Soren started to walk down the street again but was stalled again by the truly puzzled look on the man's features. Well actually all he did was crinkle his brow, but it was the most intense expression she'd seen on him yet. She knew she was going to regret asking but she couldn't stop herself. "What now?"
"It's just that I was assured you were the person I was supposed to get." Even though his tone was flat Soren could tell he was caught off guard. "It's unusual that Anna would be wrong about something like this." He said under his breath.
Soren was itching to ask who is Anna? But she didn't want to interrupt him. He spoke so quietly, it was hard enough to hear as it was.
"Hm perhaps her nervousness interfered." He continued
Unable to contain herself any longer "What does someone being nervous have to do with anything?" he looked up at her from his contemplations and she could almost see the wheels in his head working.
"Is there somewhere we could go to talk? If you're still not interested in this project even after I've had my say then it will still just be an afternoon wasted on my part."
She began walking down the street and wasn't surprised when he fell into step with her. "You can talk if you wish, but I strongly doubt there will be anything you can say that will change my mind."
She watched as he quickly surveyed the people around them. They were practically alone since the closest people to them were across the street. Still he pitched his voice low.
"They are augments. The two friends of mine are brain augments, and they need your help."
She'd stopped dead and whirled around to face him. For a moment Trowa was worried he'd overplayed his hand. It was a gamble.
"Is this some kind if sick joke? What is it with you people? If you want science fiction, go read a book or watch a movie vid. Look, you may think it's funny to cook up a bunch of wild conspiracy theories, but if you people knew how far back medical research was put thanks to that disaster you wouldn't be spewing such nonsense." She gave him one last glare and stormed away.
He just gaped at her for a moment. That was definitely not the reaction he was expecting. Realizing she was getting away he charged after her. "No wait please I can prove it if you need me to!" He would scream at the top of his mental lungs to get Anna and Shelby's attention if he had to. Fortunately Une must have foreseen this possibility and had given him something just for this occasion. Catching up to her he reached into his bag for the electronic message pad and handed it to her. "It's a message from Director Une of the Preventer's to you." He said quietly. The official Preventer's insignia caught her attention ad forced her to stop. Placing her thumb on the print pad she quickly unlocked it and scanned the contents. She re-scanned it several more times as if reading it more than once would change what was written there.
"You're serious aren't you?" she asked. Her eyes were wide as saucers and blinked several times at him.
She stood there staring at him motionless for another few moments then it was like someone suddenly flicked a switch on her shifting her into a different mode. She went from still to hyper motion and kept picking up speed. "But how can they be augments? That's illegal! And if they are augments, have their minds started to deteriorate yet? What process was used on them to enhance their mind? How longago weretheytreated? Whatabilitieshavetheygained?"
The questions just started spilling out of the woman's mouth like her head couldn't hold them any longer. They were coming out so fast the words were beginning to mash together. "Whoa slow down. I can answer some of your questions, but you'll have to ask them the rest."
That made her pause. "They're still coherent?" She asked stepping closer to him and staring intently into his eyes trying to detect a lie.
"Yes they were treated fifteen years ago-"
"Fifteen years! How were they able to maintain their-" she interrupted then stopped when he held up his hand.
"We really should find somewhere else to talk." he said nodding towards the other people on the street.
********
They were seated in the far back corner booth of a restaurant virtually isolated from the other patrons.
Trowa had been briefly outlining what he knew about the two psionic women. He could see questions bubbling in her mind as well as barely disguised doubt but she kept quiet. A few times she made noises. She still didn't want to believe there were doctors that would use unwilling street kids for experimentation. When he told her about the deaths of the other test subjects, she seemed deeply upset. He then quickly outlined her purpose in the project.
"Basically, they need to prove to the rest of the world they are safe. It's the only way people will let them live and this was they'll be free of whoever has continued with the original project." He finished.
"So how do you fit into all of this? How is it that you've come to know these women? Are you involved with one of them?" he watched her give a little wince at the last question. "Sorry, you don't have to answer that last question."
He couldn't quite keep the smirk off his face from her slip. He supposed it was a good sign that after all that he'd just said she'd try flirting with him. "No I'm single. The women are friends of mine and involved other friends of mine."
"Sorry I guess it's been a while since I've had an attractive man sit across the table from me. Sadly this is probably the best date I've had in years and it isn't even a date!" she lamented.
He chuckled "The last woman I had dinner with told me I had all the warmth and personality of bacteria."
"Ouch."
"It's not her fault she's probably right. I just don't have very good people skills."
"According to who?"
"According to most of the woman I've dated. I always seem to be the dumpee and not the dumper."
"Well I rather enjoyed myself tonight. So I guess you just haven't been dating the right kind of women." She smiled at him flashing that adorable dimple of hers.
Having finished the topic of augments and psionics the conversation shifted to a more date like mode. All during their talk Trowa was marveling at the way her emotions played across her face. Although he'd never admit it, he always liked the way Quatre and Duo could express themselves so openly. The pretty doctor ("please call me Soren") seemed to share that charming characteristic. And Soren was right this did feel more comfortable than most of the dates he'd ever had. He was becoming so involved with the moment that he almost fell out of his seat when he heard Shelby's voice in his head.
Wow, she's cute. So what's the scoop? Is she going to help us or are you two just going to keep staring at each other all night?
"Shelby?" he asked gazing blankly at Soren.
I dunno she seems pretty stare worthy to me. Came the amused quip of Duo.
"Duo? What are you two doing checking up on me?" his cheeks were feeling a bit warm knowing they were picking up his attraction to the woman seated across from him. Said woman was looking at him with intense curiosity.
"Are they talking to you right now?" he picked up the skeptical tone in her voice. He tried to ignore the sting of knowing she still thought he was here on some elaborate lie. What the hell was she still here for if she didn't believe him? Well there was one sure way to ensure she believed him.
"Yes as a matter of fact they are. I suppose now is as good a time as any to introduce you. Dr. Soren Osar, Shelby McGuire; Shelby, Dr. Soren Osar"
Hello Dr. Osar it's a pleasure to meet you echoed inside both heads. Soren let out a little squeak and jumped back in her seat. Trowa waited a moment watching reality sink in.
"Soren? Are you okay?" she was doing her best imitation of a fish on dry land. "Soren? Did you really think I made the whole thing up?"
"N-n-no I-I I guess I didn't want to believe it. I mean I'm not naïve, I know that there are people in the world who would do just about anything for money and power. I guess I just wasn't ready to openly acknowledge it." She replied while trying to regain some of her composure. She'd turned pale and there was a definite tremor in her hands.
That's understandable. Was Anna's composed voice we apologize for the intrusion Trowa, but we were just curious about how your meeting went. We didn't realize you were still having it until we contacted you. We were under the impression that you were leaving on this evening's shuttle.
It was then that Trowa became aware of the time. The colony had entered into its night phase. They must have been sitting at this table for at least two to three hours. It didn't feel that long. Try as he might, he couldn't figure out how he managed to say talking for that long and not notice the passage of time. Duo pulled his thoughts back to the present.
So Doc, are you in? He asked bluntly.
"I-I don't know. I'm interested, but it's such an awfully long time to leave my patients. I- I suppose I could ask my parents to help out. They're both semi-retired and driving each other crazy." Trowa was starting to get worried. A haunted look was coming into her eyes.
Cool! Then it's settled! Burst Duo enthusiastically. Trowa had to put his hand to his head afraid his brains would burst out of his eye sockets. Even if he'd never communicated this way before it would have been easy to tell that Duo was an amateur at this form of communication. Talking to the women telepathically was almost like talking to them in person. By contrast, Duo was like a sensory assault. It felt extremely loud and overflowed with emotion. Looking up he saw that Soren was starting to sway in her seat.
"Duo! Ease off! Can't you tell she's getting a little overwhelmed?" Her beautiful golden skin was looking an awful sallow color and she looked like she wanted to throw up. "I'll stay here tonight and you can call me tomorrow."
Tomorrow then answered Shelby then they were gone.
