Chapter Two

Five… Six… Seven…

The numbers on the elevator rose with each passing floor. Lana shifted from one foot to the other and then back. She grasped the now-crumpled letter tightly in her hand, having already read it fat least a dozen times. Just to make sure.

Ten…Eleven…Twelve…

Ding! The sliding doors opened, revealing a very modern, oval room. Lana hesitated. It wasn't too late. She could just turn around right now. No one would be the wiser. In the middle of her contemplating, a woman Lana hadn't noticed looked up from her desk and over at the new arrival.

"Ma'am?" Lana's head shot straight up, her eyes wide. After mentally calming herself down a bit, she quietly and quickly made her way over to the smiling secretary.

"Hi, I'm here to see Dr. Swann." Lana tucked a stray lock behind her ear and handed the lady her letter bashfully, regretting the damage she'd done to it.

The secretary scanned the piece of paper before giving the young woman a warm smile. "Please sit down. I'll tell him you're here." She gestured to the green arm chair before picking up the phone receiver to notify her boss.

Lana sat as instructed, her hands laying gently in her lap. Glancing over at the doors, she let out a long breath and tried not to fidget with the hem of her dress. She was nervous as hell. The man was a legend. How could she not be nervous?

She still couldn't wrap her mind around it. What did the Man of Tomorrow possibly need to talk to her about? How his faithful dog's death traumatized his very being? Doubtful.

No matter the cause, Lana had her own reasons for showing up here today. She really took her conversation with Chloe and Lois last night to heart. Sure, she'd cut back on the work hours if she could. And sure, she'd take that much-needed vacation she had promised herself months ago. Just not yet.

Long before Lana even thought of a career in psychology, her aunt had planned out her life for her. She'd graduate early and go through med school to become the family's first doctor. Nell practically glowed when she shared her hopes and dreams with her eight year old niece. In a big way, Nell was the reason Lana had made it this far.

Ever since she was old enough to be in school, Aunt Nell, a.k.a. the Drill Sergeant, had a big influence on Lana's education. At age fifteen, Lana Lang had graduated high school with the highest honors, and three years later, maxima cum laude with a diploma from Met U. Lana caved and went to medical school, but becoming a surgeon is where she drew the line. Blood made her queasy.

She wouldn't let her hard work go to waste, however, so instead, she opted for the life as a psychiatrist. She had always been the sympathetic ear. The shoulder to cry on.

'Might as well get paid for it.'

Peering over at the clock, Lana's tension mounted. Ten minutes and still nothing. It felt like hours to her, waiting in that immaculate room, the silence only broken periodically by the secretary's typing. She twirled a strand of her hair with a manicured finger, a habit she picked up years ago.

Lana was so far off in her own world that when the intercom buzzed, it startled her, making her jump out of the chair and to attention. "Send her in, Grace." The secretary turned to the young woman and motioned for her to come forward.

Lana's shaky legs carried her across the floor to where Grace stood patiently. The secretary gave her an encouraging smile and then opened the double doors. Lana walked past, watching the doors close behind her.

Another oval room except this time much larger with windows spanning an entire half of the room, sending Lana into awe. At the far corner of the room stood a gigantic desk. Behind it sat the reason she was here, considering her carefully.

'Just walk, Lana. One foot in front of the other.'

She gulped, and moved toward the man watching her every move with those penetrating eyes. She felt like she was being interviewed yet no words were spoken. She forced a nervous smile and held out her hand.

"Good morning, sir. It's a real honor to meet you." He gave her a kind smile, and stared at her outstretched hand.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Lang, but I'm afraid I can't shake your hand."

"Oh." Lana looked down briefly before raising her eyes back to the man before her, a bit hurt.

Dr. Swann chuckled and continued, "I can't because I'm paralyzed from the chest down."

It was only then that Lana noticed for the first time the tubes and medical equipment lining the unique chair he was sitting in. "Oh, I'm sorry, sir. I didn't know." She drew her hand back and took a seat.

'How did I not know!? I don't remember hearing anything about one of the world's most powerful men being confined to wheelchair…'

"And you wouldn't, if you hadn't come here today." Lana must have given him a confused look so he elaborated, "The limited people who know are sufficiently compensated to keep their mouths shut. My condition has no effect on my business or how I do my business. My accident didn't change a thing."

Lana didn't push the matter so instead, nodded her head and answered, "I understand, sir."

Swann's voice slowed down, making sure the young psychiatrist heard every word coming out of his mouth. "My condition has nothing to do with the reason I called you here today."

It was unnecessary really, Lana was already on full alert, keenly interested in that very reason that had kept her up all night, pondering away.

Swann took a deep breath, "I have a job for you. Someone very close to me…He needs your help."

Lana didn't hesitate. "Who?"

"My son…" Swann's eyes locked eyes with the young woman before him. "Adopted, of course. I've been watching over him for years now, watching him move from foster home to foster home. I just made my guardianship legitimate the other day."

Lana mentally filed that information away. "What's his diagnosis?"

Swann took another deep breath, as if it was painful to speak of. "His condition has never been officially diagnosed, but it speaks for itself." Swann tilted his head. "Or the lack thereof."

Lana blinked, "Mute?"

Swann nodded, turning his gaze to the city just outside his window. "Hasn't spoken a word since his mother died in a car crash when he was twelve."

The young psychiatrist put the pieces together. "And you contacted me because I specialize in selective mutism."

"Don't forget your impressive reputation and that astounding success rate. I couldn't see anyone else helping my son better than you."

Lana narrowed her eyes at the scientist. "You flatter me… Why?"

"Smart girl." She could hear the amusement in his voice. "I understand that you only work weekdays."

Her brow knitted in confusion. "I do."

"Would you consider an exception? Say Saturdays at this address?" His eyes darted to a card on the desk.

"Sounds perfect." Lana picked up the piece of paper and stuck it in her purse before standing up. "You know, all you had to do was ask."

Swann smiled up at her and chuckled, "I'll remember that."

As soon as her hand touched the doorknob, her future employer called out, "Dr. Lang?"

"Sir?"

"I'm not stupid. I realize that in our world today, a secret won't stay a secret for long. But other than the adoption and the fact that my son is a client of yours, I hope everything we discussed here and in the future will remain between us."

He watched her face for any sign of deceit and was glad to find none in her answer. "You don't have to worry, Dr. Swann. I take my doctor-patient confidentiality very seriously."

Swann sent her a grateful smile. "Thank you."

"No," Lana returned the smile, "Thank you."

"Name?"

"Lana Lang."

The maitre'd looked up from his reservation list. "Ah, Ms. Lang. Welcome back. Will you be dining alone tonight?"

Lana shook her head and rearranged her shawl on her shoulders. "I'm meeting Derek. Has he arrived yet?"

Scanning the seating chart, the man nodded his head. "Yes, he has. Please follow Karen, and she'll show you to your seat."

"Thank you, Joseph." She flashed him a smile before falling into step behind the waitress with her menu.

Advancing into the main dining room, Lana took in the atmosphere around her. There were bustling tables and chandlers hanging beautifully from the ceiling, boisterous laughter filled the air among delicious aromas.

Lorenzo's…It had been awhile since she last ate here.

'Too long.'

Derek had taken her here for their first date. That night had consisted of a candlelight dinner and non-stop laughter. She smiled at the memory.

Their booth came into view as they progressed further into the restaurant. A tall figure with dirty blond hair sat with his back to the entrance.

'Derek...'

It was as if he could sense her presence. She hadn't even reached the table when he turned around, greeting her with a luminous smile. He stood and enveloped Lana in a hug.

"Lana!" He tightened his grip before kissing her briefly on the cheek. "I missed you."

Finally letting her go, Lana stepped back and looked up into his sparkling, mocha colored eyes. "I missed you too."

The couple took their seats, never breaking eye contact or their smiles. The waitress placed Lana's menu in front of her and left without a word. Neither of them noticed.

"So," Lana started, "How'd the trip go?"

Derek shook his head and laughed. "Do we have to talk about work? I haven't seen you in so long." He picked up Lana's hand and kissed the back of it tenderly.

"Well then," Lana squeezed his hand and winked, "What do you want to talk about?"

"You. Me. The possibility of us living together." He gave a hopeless grin, already knowing the answer.

Lana's smile flickered, and she gently let go of her boyfriend's hand. "Derek…We've already discussed this. I really don't think we should. I mean, it's so soon -"

"Lana, we've been together for over a year. I don't think we're rushing." Gah, such persistence. Usually she loved that about him.

"I don't think we're ready." She massaged her forehead, knowing the headache would come soon after.

Derek paused for a second, watching her reaction before deciding to back down.

A middle-aged waiter appeared before their table. "Hello. My name is Sam, and I'll be your server this evening. Would you like something to drink before I take your order?"

Lana was still rubbing her temples. "Something strong," she murmured.

Derek ordered for her and waited until the waiter brought them their drinks before breaking the bad news. Too bad it was so blunt. "I'm leaving next week for another trip."

Lana gave an exasperated sigh. "Already? You just got back."

Her boyfriend nodded. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. It's not my fault. It's my -"

Lana cut him off. "Your job, I know." She swirled the ice around in her water, listening to it clink softly against the glass.

Derek frowned. "You're mad at me."

Lana shook her head and sat up straight, grabbing the menu and opening it in front of her. "No. No, I'm not. Let's just eat."

Lana quietly closed her apartment door and dropped her keys on the kitchen counter.

'Such a long day.'

She shrugged off her coat and hung it up before padding across the tile to the balcony. She folded her arms and leaned against the railing, watching her boyfriend's taillights disappear down the street.

Wiping the lone tear from her cheek, Lana lifted her head to the stars and prayed for an angel.