*** This is a tribute to the genius of JKR. All Harry Potter characters belong to her. ***
Chapter Three: Reality Check
Two days. Two days and not a single appearance by Eden. Snape violently pushed the call button. He needed to get out of this muggle hospital and get back to the motel room and his wand. He was sure he could find a healing spell that would make it possible to apparate out of this wretched place.
The girl had obviously come to her senses and gotten over whatever infatuation she held for her savior; she wasn't coming back. Snape wanted to leave before the girl's damn uncle showed up again. He claimed she was too tired the first day, but yesterday his excuse for her absence was a vague apology for having to rearrange her schedule. The visits consisted of awkward silences and fed Snape's paranoia that the muggle somehow knew about his death eater past.
"What is it this time Mr. Snape?" The disembodied voice of the nurse responded on the intercom.
"I want to leave this morning. I want to see the doctor," the irate patient demanded. The voice on the other end of the conversation was muffled and there was no reply. Snape threw the device out of the bed. "Damn it." he muttered. A moment later he had his reply.
"I see you're not in a very happy mood today. I'm not surprised." It wasn't the nurse at the door, it was Eden.
Her voice commanded his attention, but the former spy was intent on showing a complete lack of interest in the woman. "Perhaps you can arrange for my exit from this hellhole?" He inquired without making eye contact.
"I think I may be able to help you with that Severus." The young woman moved into the room and approached his bed. "I think they may be eager to part with you since you've terrorized the entire staff," she added, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Given the help I provided you it's the least you could do," he angrily retorted.
Eden was taken aback by his bitter tone, but then she remembered who she was talking to and sympathy swelled inside of her. He was hurt by her absence. "I'm sorry Severus. Uncle Mac must not have explained why I haven't been to see you."
"You don't need to apologize. You're getting on with your life; just as I intend to." His reply was cold and formal. "Now if you will be kind enough to fetch the doctor."
But Eden didn't move toward the door she sat down on the edge of his bed and reached for his hand. Snape quickly withdrew from the contact. The snub was conspicuous. He knew she would withdraw now; she would surely see the futility of her friendly demeanor. But Eden didn't move. She sat quietly, her eyes downcast as though lost in thought. Finally she rose from the bed, straightened the smart navy pants suit she was wearing and calmly looked down at the patient.
"I know you are uncomfortable and probably in pain Severus, so this is what we're going to do," she calmly began to explain as if talking to a child. "I am going to get Mark in here and he is going to sign you out to my care. We'll get you some scrubs, put you in a wheel chair and get you down to my car. I'm going to take you back to the ranch, get you cleaned up, get some decent food into you and put you to bed."
"I don't think..."
"Not a word Severus," she firmly replied. "I know you have control issues but for once in your life someone else is going to take care of you. Do you understand?"
What did she mean, for once in his life? How did she know anything about his life? He was going to tell her to go to hell, but then he looked up and saw this extremely capable looking young woman hovering over his bed; fierce determination written across her features.
"You're a bit scary when you're like this," Snape found his thoughts escaping his mouth.
"My students think so too," she replied as she wheeled toward the door.
"What students," he called after her but she was already out the door.
She quickly returned leading the doctor, a male orderly carrying scrubs and the nurse armed with forms. Before he could voice the slightest protest, he was checked over, dressed, processed and found himself in a wheelchair sitting at the curb. Moments later a fire engine red sports car pulled up. The nurse opened the door and helped the patient out of the wheelchair and into the leather bucket seat.
"You get better Mr. Snape," the nurse cheerily admonished him, obviously thrilled to be parting from the difficult man.
Snape nodded, afraid he would further anger Eden if he told the woman what he actually felt about her and the blasted hospital. As the door shut, Eden reached across his body to maneuver the seat belt across his bandaged chest. He could detect a citrusy mixture of lime, basil and mandarin. He closed his eyes and inhaled the lovely scent. His chest began to feel tight again. He needed to stop this feeling from returning. Severus Snape needed to get away from this woman, not return to her home, but suddenly he was so tired again. He really was still in awful shape.
Once she was certain he was secure and the belt wasn't too tight, Eden gently ran her hand across his cheek and tucked a lank strand of hair behind his ear. "Close your eyes and rest Severus. We'll be home no time. You'll like the ranch. The sky is so close you can almost touch it and the mountains around us are so peaceful."
The car was very comfortable and the engine purred to life. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. "So what do you teach Eden, elementary school?"
"No, don't be ridiculous. I can't stand kids that age. They're all dunderheads," she laughed.
Dunderheads, he thought that was an odd word choice.
"I'm a college professor."
"You can't be a college professor, you're too young. What are you 23?"
"I'm actually twenty-eight," she responded as though that advanced age provided some gravitas. "I went to the University when as 16 and got my PhD two years ago."
"And what, pray tell, do you have a degree in?" he asked in a voice dripping with condescension.
Eden eyes narrowed. "I have a degree in the history of the Southwest with a specialization in native peoples and their spiritual journeys. They don't normally let graduating PhD's stay on at the University but they made an exception for me; I am extremely productive and publish quite frequently. You're not intimidated by an accomplished woman are you Severus?" She looked directly at him. "I would think that a man like you would enjoy intellectual stimulation." She emphasized the last word.
The girl was actually flirting with him. Snape tried to form a response. "You'd better keep your eyes on the road or you'll drive us into a ditch." It was the best he could come up with.
"That's where I was yesterday. I had to drive to Tucson, meet with some of my students and arrange coverage with some of my colleagues and grad students." She reached for his hand again and this time he allowed her to take it. "I want to take care of you Severus. After all you've done, you deserve it."
He knew she was referring to his actions in the alley, but part of him couldn't help but feel she somehow knew of his past life; the year's as Dumbledore's spy and their consequences.
"I'll stay until I get back on my feet," he finally conceded.
"That's a start," she smiled