Chapter IX: Doctor Visit

Dearka woke up to the warm sun shining in the window. It was morning. His arm felt sore and he could tell there was something on his chest. Opening his eyes he started to remember the events of the previous day. He had stopped a riot from from starting in the streets, getting shot in the process. Miriallia had bandaged him up causing a fight. She told him she loved him, and they made passionate love most of the night. He looked down at her peacefully sleeping. He couldn't help but think how beautiful she was.

He looked over at his arm and frowned. There was blood on the pillows. He wound must have open in the night. He couldn't help but think about the hotel bill being hiked up to cover the cost of new ones. He sighed deeply. It was worth it. After all if it wasn't for getting shot he wouldn't be laying here with her in his arms.

Miriallia began to move and moan slightly as she began to wake up. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked at the naked man she was sleeping on. "Morning" She groaned groody.

"Morning sleepy head" He joked smiling at her.

She blushed when she realized how naked they both still were. It was funny how brave and ok she was being naked in front of him the night before, now she was embraced and her face was turning bright red. "Ummm… What time is it?" She asked trying to avoid thinking about what was under the sheets next to her.

He was about to turn his head to look at the clock when their computer began to ring. They both looked at each other panicked. They knew exactly who it was. It was the same person it always was… their employer. Suddenly neither of them cared how naked they were or the embarrassed feelings that may come with it. They just needed to get dressed as quickly as possible and answer that call. "Dammit! He called yesterday! He never calls two days in a row" Dearka said frustrated as he picked up his pants. His arm was starting to bleed. He looked like a mess.

She pulled a sundress on not bothering with a bra or underwear. "Just get in the bathroom! Get dressed in there and clean yourself up!" She demanded. As she passed the mirror she quickly fixed her hair. Once Dearka was out of sight she answered the call. "Hi Frederick. Sorry it took so long to answer. I was starting to pack up" She lied.

"Miriallia I'm so glad to see you're ok. I heard about the situation that occurred yesterday where you both are."

"You hear about that!" She said surprised.

"It is all over the news. A mysterious man stopped a dangerous riot from starting. Even getting shot in the process." He could see Miriallia had a strange look on her face. Like she was trying to hide something. "Miss Haww what is going on?"

"Derrick… He was the mysterious man" She informed him.

"What?!" He said shocked. "Is Derrick alright! What did the doctors say?"

"He's fine given the circumstances. But he hasn't seen a doctor."

"Miriallia, he needs to see a doctor. Getting shot isn't something to be taken lightly."

"I know. But he says he's fine. He doesn't want to go to a doctor."

"Please let me speak with him" It was rare that Frederic asked to speak with him. Infact Miriallia couldn't remember the last time they spoke.

"Of course. Let me go get him" Miriallia stood up and headed to the bathroom. Dearka was now dressed and attempting to re-wrap his arm. She took hold of the bandages and helped him. "He wants to speak with you"

"Are you serious. Now?"

"Yes. He wants you to see a doctor."

"Miriallia, I don-"

"I know you don't want to. But I'm not the one you need to argue with." She said as she finished wrapping his arm. She help him to his feet and kissed him on the cheek. "Come on, go talk with him.

Dearka sat down in front of the computer and looked at Frederic. He could see the stern look on his face. He suddenly felt a lecture coming on. "Hey Fred" He said saluting.

"Derrick this is no time for jokes. This is serious business"

"I'm Fi-"

"I don't care what you are telling yourself." Dearka was starting to get irritated with being cut off all the time, not to mention nobody believing him when he said he was fine. "I'm sorry but this is not only for your own good but for the safety of Miss Haww. It is your job to protect her. That is the only reason you are traveling with her. You are injured and I'm sure you won't deny that at least."

"Yes" he replied almost nervous.

"Then we need you to be properly checked out by a doctor. Otherwise we will need to terminate your employment and hire someone new to protect Miss Haww. We need to know that your ability to protect her is not compromised. If you can't provide proof of that then we will need to find a replacement. It's not ideal, certainly not halfway through the assignment, but we will do what is needed."

Dearka was mad that he would even suggest that. The idea of some other guy protecting and travelling with his girl the next six months disgusted him. Realizing he had no choice he finally agreed. "Fine. If you need proof that I'm fine, I'll go to the doctor."

"Thank you Mr. Eastman. I'd like to speak with Miss Haww now" Dearka stood up and face Mir for a second. She could tell he was mad at losing but she was happy. She was worried about him. She sat down and looked at the computer. "I want you to go with him. Get the doctor to write us a confirmation note that he can complete his duties to the full extent."

"Of course. I'll take him right away. You'll have his results by this afternoon, tonight at the latest." She promised.

The Doctor's office

Dearka sat on the bed waiting for the doctor to arrive. It didn't take them long to get through the steps in the emergency room. Turned out gunshot victims were on a 'top priority' list. Miriallia couldn't help but point out that if it was on a list like that chances are seeing a doctor was the smart decision. Miriallia watched him fidget around. He seemed uneasy. It worried her. She was about to ask him what was wrong when the doctor walked in reading Dearka chart.

"Hello Mr Eastman. I'm Dr. Samson. So I see by your chart that you were shot yesterday. Any particular reason you waited til today to get checked out"

"To be honest doc I'm fine. It was a clean shot. The bullet is long gone."

"You're tough." The doctor replied. "Former military I take it"

"Yes, I was with the Earth Alliance during the war. I was discharged after the ceasefire." He lied.

"Figures. You military boys always seem to think you're fine when you get hurt. When in a war a wound like this you may consider fine and soldier on but in the real world it something you shouldn't ignore." He explained. He set his chart down on the counter and walked up to Dearka. He placed his hands on the bandage that was already soaked in blood and started to remove it. "Let see what we are dealing with here" He looked the arm over a few times from different angles. Before giving his recommendation. "Well it is a clean shot that is for sure but it's going to need stitches. They are deep wounds and without be closed up properly you're just going to keep bleeding large amounts. It's better that we take care of this correctly." He insisted.

"I guess. Whatever you think is best" He replied.

He walked over to the wall and picked up a phone to call for a nurse's assistance. Soon a young woman came in and the doctor asked her to clean his wound. Once finished she took the soiled bandages and wipes out with her. The doctor picked up a needle and walk towards Dearka. "This is going to pinch a bit and then you're whole arm will freeze" The doctor explained before shoving the needle in. "It should take a couple minutes to take effect." While the doctor waited he gathered his supplies for stitching up his injury. "Ok how is it feeling now? Do it feel frozen?"

"Ahh… Yeah" He said.

"Ok then. Let's get this show on the road." Miriallia didn't want to watch him get sewn up. It actually made her a bit queasy but she couldn't help but notice Dearka was acting strange. He seemed to be focusing on breathing, he looked pale. She stared at him, and he stared back. Something was wrong. She could tell it was. "There that should do it" He said finishing the last stitch. Dearka started to gain the color back in his face, relieved it was over.

"Umm… Doctor. Derrick's employer was hoping you could write a confirmation note stating that he was fit to work. You see he is a bodyguard and if you don't clear him they will have to hire someone to replace him"

"Of course. I see no reason he can't continue to work. You two wait here. I'll go to my office and write you that note. You two just relax. I won't be long."

Once the doctor left the room Miriallia turned to Dearka. "Are you okay. You looked terrible!"

"Thanks hun" He joked.

"Sorry… but you looked like you were in pain"

"You would be too if you had a needle going in and out of you."

"But… he froze you." She replied confused.

"Well that's the thing you see. Due the the difference in our genetic make up the freezing agent use on naturals doesn't work on coordinators. There is one that for coordinators but…"

"Derrick Eastman is a natural. So if he asked for the other one they would question it. That's why you didn't want to come to the hospital. You were afraid you cover would be blown. That you wouldn't be able to take the pain"

"Exactly. I can handle a lot when it comes to pain but when you trying to act like you don't even feel it, it can feel impossible."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told Frederic it was you"

"No… it's fine. The pain… it was all worth it as long as I get to keep protecting you." He said smiling at his girl. "No guy wants someone else protecting his girlfriend."

She blushed at his words. "Y-You just called me your girlfriend."

"That's what you are… aren't you?" He asked now unsure if he should have said that.

"Yes. I am" She smiled, receiving a smile back from him.

"Okay Mr. Eastman" The doctor said as he entered the room once again. "Here is the note for your employer" He said handing the note to Miriallia. "And this is a prescription for pain medication should you need it" He said handing a piece of paper to Dearka. He looked at it few a few seconds frowning before putting it in his pocket. Miriallia felt uncomfortable all of a sudden. They seemed to be in a staring contest. Neither one giving in. They didn't seem angry, she wasn't sure what they were other then bugging her.

"Uhhh… Derrick? We should get going" She insisted.

"Right" He said without breaking eye contact.

"Don't forget your prescription it's very important." The doctor said in an ominous tone.

"I'm sure he won't" Miriallia said taking hold of Dearka's hand to pull him out of the room. They began walking down the hall. Once they were a good distance away she started to talk. "That guy was starting to give me the willies." She said joking. "But I'm guessing that prescription is no good to you, just like the needle was?" She asked tilting her head.

"Yeah. Guess that is the downside of lying about who you are."

"Yeah, I suppose it is"

After they finished with the doctor they returned to the hotel. Dearka began to pack things up while Miriallia emailed Frederic the results as well as a copy of the doctors notes clearing Dearka for duty. It was a relief to know that nobody else would be protecting her. After all, now that they were officially boyfriend and girlfriend she didn't want anyone else by her side. Once they check out they returned to the Earth Alliance base they had landed at the day before and launched, heading towards their next destination.

The next place was over a 10 hours away. After flying for half that Dearka decided they should make camp so he could rest his arm. They landed on a small inhabited island. Once they landed they did what they always did. Miriallia set up the tent while he gathered firewood and confirmed the safety of the site. He then built a fire. But unlike every other time Miriallia invited him into the tent to enjoy the same thing they had the night before. Turned out the thought of him not protecting her really made her want him more.

The next morning Dearka woke up to a sight he was really enjoying getting use to. He was also happy to see that this time he didn't cover the bed in blood. He tried his best to get up without disturbing his girlfriend to no avail. She started to groan as he moved her.

"Sorry. Go back to sleep hun" He insited.

"Where are you going?" She asked rubbing her eye.

"Thought I would take a dip in the sea. The salt water is good for my wound. We'll be taking off soon but take your time getting up. You can start packing whenever you feel like it" He said before leaning down and kiss her. She smiled at him and watched as he left the tent with a towel draped over his shoulder, his naked body almost completely exposed.

She smiled to herself and rolled over to get couple more minutes of sleep. Before she could close her eyes she noticed something. Two pieces of paper that had fallen out of Dearka's pants pocket. She sat up. She could see that one of them had the hospital letterhead on it. It must have been the paper the doctor gave him. But it looked like more writing than any prescription she had ever seen. Curious she picked it up. She was shocked by what she read:n the one the doctor gave him. But it looked like more writing than any prescription she had ever seen. Curious she picked it up. She was shocked by what she read:

Derrick,

I'd like to thank you for what you did yesterday. It shows a tremendous amount of bravery on your part especially considering what you risked. I don't know why you are choosing to hide or what you are hiding from. But a coordinator pretending to be a natural is a hard rouse to keep up. The price of your secret could be more than you're willing to pay.

Your girlfriend seems to care for you dearly. I don't know if she knows of the truth of what you are but it doesn't matter. If the wrong person discovers it she could be the collateral damage. Things like yesterday, although you may feel you are doing the right thing, it could cost you everything. Take it from a man who's lost everything trying to keep the same secret. Lies are weight that will hold you back as long as you chose to keep them. You and Miriallia will never last if you chose to keep being a walking fraud.

You are a soldier at heart, not a bodyguard. You are meant to protect a nation not a single person. You'll never find happiness until you realize that. This peace will never last. That was just a taste of what is to come. When it all starts again, where will you find yourself? As Derrick Eastman the bodyguard or a soldier in the military you truly belong in. Will you become the enemy of the woman you care about or keep ignoring who you really are?

I wish you luck, and pray you make the right decision for both of you.

She couldn't believe it. The whole time the doctor knew. Not only that but he seemed to be warning Dearka. She knew Dearka was running from something. It was clear in the way is dodged many questions. But she knew him, or at least she thought she did. But for a stranger to figure out all this, was Dearka starting down a dangerous path he couldn't come back from?

She put the note back in his pocket. She then looked down at the other piece of paper. It looked like he had been carrying it around for a while. It seem worn and discolored. Picking it up she unfolded it. She was surprised to see it was a voucher for a one way shuttle to the PLANTs. It was issued the day she got the job at the magazine, with no expiry date. Was he planning on leaving her? Was this an escape root for him to take if things got too difficult? She didn't want to even think about it.

She shook her head trying to clear her mind of those thoughts. She leaned over and started to put it back in his pocket. But she hesitated. Instead she decided to keep it. She didn't need Dearka having another reason to leave her. They were already in a relationship that many would believe to be doomed to fail. As guilty as she felt hiding this voucher from him, she couldn't help but feel right doing it. Once it was safely tucked away she decided to join her boyfriend out in the water, and maybe even have a little fun before the took flight once again.