2016

Rubbing the back of her neck to try and get the kinks out, Simone finished updating the last patient file in front of her. Tossing her glasses on the desk, she stretched out in the chair, hearing several vertebrae pop back into alignment.

(And it's not even 8 yet)

A sigh escaped her as she eyed the large pile of paper still to be dealt with. There was the budget for Neuro to be finalized, a massive packet Baxter had sent over in the night titled, "Your Imprintee and You", physician consultation requests and other various miscellanea. All of which still covered half of her desk. Sighing again, she took a pile of patient files with her and filed them away in the massive cabinets covering the far wall.

(Christ. And I thought I would escape paperwork when I left St. Theresa's. Hah.)

As a separate brightly colored pile caught her eye she scowled instinctively.

(And as always, the fucking reporters. I need to talk to Adams about that, with Annabelle awake it's only a matter of time before they descend again. Bastards.)

Irritated, Simone slammed the file drawer before crossing back to the desk. She was just about to file the last of the files as a knock came at the door.

"Come in" she called out, juggling some slipping files into the cabinet.

"Simone?" Michael's head poked around the door.

"Hi, come in, just let me get these…there." Closing the drawer, Simone crossed over to Michael and was enveloped in a big hug. "How are you?" she asked, extricating herself as he held on a bit too long.

(Some things never change)

With wry amusement he settled into the chair in front of her desk. "It's been too long Simone, I almost gave up on hearing from you again".

"Well, you know, my work always keeps me busy Michael", she replied, shrugging deeper into her office chair.

"Always did, didn't it Simone?" he replied with a trace of bitterness.

"Michael…"

"Nevermind" he said, waving that conversation away. "What do you need Simone, I assume you didn't call me just to catch up?"

(Well damn. Shouldn't have thought this would be easy)

"Annabelle woke up last night" she said, watching his face, not surprised when it went carefully blank.

…"Congratulations" he said quietly, before falling silent again.

Taking a deep breath, Simone continued. "She has amnesia Michael." Seeing his eyes whip up and stare at her intently, "I'm just another stranger to her".

"Will she recover? I mean, is this temporary?" he asked, studying her.

"She's projected to make a full physical recovery, but as for her memory, no. That's not likely to change". Simone finished softly.

"Oh" he said. "Um, I'm sorry Simone, I know you…"

Lurching to her feet, Simone walked across the room, staring ahead, "There's more, why I asked you to drop by. I'm her Imprint."

Eyebrows high in surprise, he leaned back in his chair. "No shit? Wow, talk about…wow." Shaking his head, "okay, what does that have to do with me?"

"I have to last through her recovery,… I estimated it around 4 months. Soon, I'll have to be around her for…for hours at a time. If, if I'm not, she'll never fully recover." Turning on her heel, she walked back over to him. "Michael, I'm at the threshold of Memo snap already…there's only one way I can think of to do it." Eyes raised defiantly, she crossed her arms and waited for him to work it out.

"I still don't…oh, oh hell no Simone! I am not doing that! FOR FOUR MONTHS? You wouldn't…, no fucking way!" starting out of his chair, he headed towards the door.

"Michael please!"

"Fuck no Simone! One time would drive you insane!" turning, he crossing behind the desk and grabbed her by the arms, "It will absolutely kill you!"

"I'm dead anyway!" Simone screamed into his face. As he released her in shock, she repeated, "I'm dead anyway Michael. I'll hit the wall with the backwash soon, but at least this way, Annabelle will make it. I have to be here until she walks out. And I can't, I can't be around her like I am now. After 3 minutes of her, I almost lost it. I can't… I don't know of any other way."

The ticking of the clock on the wall was the only noise in the office for the next few minutes.

"You're talking the Big 4 right, one a month?" he finally said. At her nod, he continued, "Memo and…"

"Sacriset" she replied.

"Sacriset. Jesus Christ" Collapsing into the chair, Michael hid his face in his hands.

"Can you get it Michael?" Simone asked quietly.

"Yeah, yeah I can get it. Won't be easy, but I can get it."

(Almost there)

"Michael, there's more. I only have triggers for two. I'll need you to take me in for the others."

"Jesus Simone. Which two will you need?

"First and the last".

"Shit, you know the first one is the hardest anyway…"

"I know. Will you help me?"

Leather creaked as he leaned forward in his chair, his eyes searching hers, "Simone…I have to ask. Is she worth it? Really worth it? You said it yourself; this isn't your…Belle anymore. What do you owe this stranger? Because This. Will. Kill. You. Do you understand that, I mean, really, do you? What if it takes longer than 4 months? What if…There's…you could have a life, a real life, without her…we...you could still…"

Her fingertips light on his lips, she cut him off gently. "No Michael, I can't. And further, I don't want to." So softly he had to lean in further to hear her, she whispered, "I simply can't live without her, I'm…I'm broken Michael. There's no substance to me…I'm a ghost in love with a ghost. I could…exist…while I thought one day she might wake up, but now…I can't. If I hadn't…" losing her voice, she closed her eyes in pain.

"Simone, it wasn't your fault" he said quietly.

"Simone! Simone, reach!"

"Will you help me?" she asked again, sitting on her heels in front of his chair. As he took her hands in his own, she waited for his answer.

(Please Michael)

Searching her face, Michael was quiet. Finally, he bowed his head in defeat. "It'll take me a couple of days to get the Sacriset, Friday at the earliest. I'll call you when I have it. We'll do coffee again", he said with a wince. Squaring his shoulders as he stood, "What do you need from me for the first trigger?"

As she told him, horror washed over his face. "There isn't another one that will work? Simone…"

Tired to her soul, Simone retreated to her chair. "You know it has to be a traumatic one Michael."

"I know, but, that one? Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, can…"

The bracelet on Simone's wrist suddenly flashed a deep red color, followed by Annabelle's panicked voice, "Simone, Simone, are you there? Simone…"

On her feet immediately and moving toward the door, Simone looked at Michael. "I have to go, Friday night then?"

"Unless you hear otherwise" he said unhappily, toying with the coffee cup.

"Michael…thank you" she said, giving him a fleeting kiss on the cheek.

"Go" he softly urged. Watching her fly out the door, get took a sip of his now cold coffee. "See you Friday" he whispered to the empty room.