Three weeks later, Gordon was walking down the streets of New York City. For someone who was going to be late, Gordon was incredibly calm. He had every right to be. It had been over a month since he had been kidnapped. Over a month that he had learned to look at the world even closer. To appreciate what the world was. Sometimes, however, it was better to look at the bigger picture. Gordon was so engrossed into his thoughts that he walked right into a young doctor. This event caused the young doctor's open book bag to fall to the ground, spilling its contents.
"I'm so sorry," Gordon said, immediately dropping to the footpath.
"That's okay, it's my fault for rushing everywhere," The doctor said. Her curly brown hair was tied in a ponytail which rested over her left shoulder.
"I should have been watching where I was going," Gordon apologised, handing the female her work. The female smiled. Both looked at their watches.
"I have got to go now," The doctor said "I'm going to be late," She started running.
"And so am I," Gordon muttered as he picked up his pace.
Stassia Aulman was running through central park at 4:30pm. She normally wouldn't run this late but because she had missed her morning run, she had to make it up somehow. Of all the days for a small problem with her electricity to happen – it had to be the one where she had a very important meeting. It was her fault that she didn't own a battery powered alarm clock. Sure she had her phone but Stassia liked the digital alarm clock her foster brothers had given her when she went off to college. It had become a bit of a habit. Luckily she wasn't the only doctor late to the meeting. Apparently there were a few others who had similar problems. Landlords. The song changed from a smooth classical to a classic rock song. The intro had her hooked in. And just like the morning, Stassia managed to bump into someone.
"We have got to stop meeting like this," A semi-familiar voice said. Stassia could hear the laugh in his voice. She saw the red hair and brown eyes. The very same red hair and brown eyes from this morning.
"I'm so sorry," Stassia apologised, taking her headphones out.
"It's okay, my brothers keep telling that I'd bump into something with my running," The man said "Glad it just happened here instead of back home," Stassia laughed a little. The man smiled.
"I'm Stassia Aulman," Stassia introduced herself.
"Gordon Tracy," The red head held out his hand. Stassia smiled. She accepted his handshake.
"So what's the good doctor doing out here in this weather?" Gordon asked.
"Missed my morning run,"
"From the way you bumped into me this morning, I would have counted that as your morning run,"
"Ha ha, very funny," Stassia rolled her eyes "What about you?"
"Just needed the exercise," Gordon said "No swimming pool here in New York for me to use. And my brother's fiancé thinks it would a good idea for me to run more often,"
"Well your soon to be sister-in-law is kind of right. Running does help with your swimming a lot," Stassia explained. Gordon smiled.
"She is always right," He said "When she gets all of the facts,"
"Sounds like you like her,"
"Of course I do. She's like a cousin to me. She baby sat me when my older brothers were busy with all sorts of things," Stassia checked her watch.
"I've got to get going," She said "If I want to make it back to my apartment before it gets dark,"
"I'll see you around Stassia," Gordon said "And thanks for not freaking out about my last name," A goofy smile appeared on the face of the red haired male before he started running off. And that's when it clicked. Stassia had just meet Gordon Tracy. The fourth son of the billionaire Jeff Tracy. The Olympic gold medallist, Gordon Tracy.
It was the next day at work that surprised Stassia the most. One of the ER doctors, Megan Greenwood, gave her a piece of paper with a phone number on it.
"Gordon came to visit this morning, said he wanted me to give this to you," She explained "He also said something about getting a hot chocolate together sometime tomorrow,"
"Thanks Dr Greenwood," The doctor laughed
"You do realise that it is Valentine's Day tomorrow right?"
"It is?" Stassia said surprised.
"It is. You're one lucky lady Stassia Aulman," Dr Greenwood told the Cardiologist "Tell him, I expect to see his soon to be sister in law for her check-up for me please. He rushed off in a hurry this morning,"
"Of course, and thank you again Dr Greenwood,"
"No problem Dr Aulman,"
Gordon was eating dinner when his phone rang. The caller was unknown. But Gordon instantly knew who it would be. He had been waiting for this call all day. He picked the phone and answered it.
"Gordon Tracy,"
"Hey Gordon, its Stassia Aulman. Dr Greenwood said I should call you,"
"Hey Stassia," Gordon replied "I was wondering if you'd like to grab a hot chocolate or maybe a coffee tomorrow. I'm heading back home for a while and I wanted to say goodbye before I go," Stassia could feel herself blushing.
"Yeah sure. I'd love to get a drink with you. I get off work at 4 tomorrow," Stassia told him
"Great. Do you want to meet at Robert Harris or shall I come meet you at work?" Gordon asked.
"Robert Harris is a good spot to meet. Are we going to the one near the hospital or the one by Tracy Towers?"
"The one near the hospital – it's closer to the airport,"
"So it will be a quick visit then,"
"No. We have a tradition in my family that I get to finally partake in. My brother, Virgil, is coming to pick me up for it," Gordon explained "I won't be leaving until the day after but you'll probably be at work,"
"Speaking of work. Dr Greenwood said to tell you that she expects your sister in law to be to come see her for a check-up,"
"Naomi's got one booked for Monday,"
"So I'll see you tomorrow. Half past four," Stassia said, smiling.
"It's a date," Gordon confirmed.
Stassia saw the red haired man walk through the doors of Robert Harris at 6:30. Their date had to be pushed back when one of Gordon's meetings went over time and an emergency surgery on Stassia's end had forced Stassia to stay at work.
"We have got to stop doing this," Gordon said, smiling "We're always late for everything it seems,"
"Sometimes being late isn't a bad thing,"
"Aren't you supposed to be a doctor? I thought that doctors were all about being on time," Stassia laughed
"When it comes to medical matters, then yes we do like being on time. But since when have you ever had an early doctor's appointment?"
"Never," Gordon said, laughing. He caught his breath.
"So we have 15ish minutes until Virgil and Naomi come to meet me. What would you like to drink Miss Aulman?"
"I'll take a Hot Chocolate thanks Mr Tracy,"
"You did what?" Stassia laughed as Gordon told the story of his senior prank.
"Yeah – we managed to get the entire school to ditch for a whole day. The teachers went nuts,"
"At least it wasn't as bad as my brother's prank," Stassia said "Percy managed to tip buckets of ice and water on all of his teachers," Gordon laughed.
"I appreciate good practical pranks but one of the best senior pranks I have ever seen was the one pulled by Scott and Naomi. They managed to fool all the juniors into thinking that they wasted that years prank on one person, namely my older brother John, when their real prank wasn't for a few months. They along with their friend managed to give the entire junior year the walk of shame to the office to collect dry clothing after being bombarded by flour and water,"
"Okay. AS of this moment, Scott Tracy and Naomi Winchester are King and Queen of the senior pranks," Stassia announced.
"But I doubt we'll hold that title for long," A tall female said "Alan's the last Tracy to graduate and I'd hate to be at his school when his prank starts. While Gordon is the prankster, Alan has four older brothers plus myself to draw ideas from," Gordon started to cheekily smile.
"Don't you dare give him any ideas Gords," The accompanying male said, laughing "You're both terrible enough on your own,"
"Stassia, may I introduce my brother Virgil and his fiancé, Naomi Winchester. Guys, this is my friend Dr Stassia Aulman," Gordon introduced the couple to the curly haired doctor.
"Nice to meet you," Naomi said, holding out her left hand "Sorry about the awkwardness. MY sling will hopefully come off tomorrow,"
"You've had it…" Virgil quickly covered his little brother's mouth
"Let me guess," Stassia said, laughing "You're a right hander and you've been using it," Naomi nods meekly.
"I was going to get bored otherwise,"
"Well if you kept movement to a minimum, you should be alright but if not – I'm guessing here, two to three weeks more," Stassia diagnosed the situation "But I don't know what Dr Greenwood's reaction will be,"
"The downside of your doctor dating your best friend," Naomi muttered.
"Well Gordon – we have that thing we were planning to do," Virgil said "We better get going,"
"Don't drink too much boys," Naomi reminded "Gordon might be a light weight,"
"I will not be a light drinker," Gordon pouted. Naomi and Stassia smiled at the red head.
"You're be fine getting back to the towers by yourself?" Virgil asked quickly.
"I'll be fine, Virg," Naomi told her fiancé "While I may not be able to use my gun, I still have ten years' worth of training under my belt. Now go. Don't let us stop you from showing Gordon the world,"
"I'll call you tomorrow Stassia," Gordon said "And I'll see you back at the towers Naomi," Virgil kissed his fiancé before the two Tracy brothers left Robert Harris.
"I don't know about you Stassia, but I'll stay here for a while," Naomi told the young doctor "But a word of advice. Gordon's a bit of a player. Always has been so be careful,"
"Nice to meet you Naomi," Stassia said as she left the building.