Fear
(A/N: Just a super thank you for all the reviews, alerts and faves. I really, really appreciate it!)
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Chapter 2
The next morning Daniel and Lewicki were sitting at the dining table, eating breakfast. Daniel's concentration was on grading a paper he had in front of him. However, he was well aware of Lewicki's eyes staring intently at him.
"If you stare any longer at me, Lewicki," Daniel causally stated, head down and still reading, "You are going to bore a hole right through to my skull."
"I need to talk with you," Lewicki announced.
"No," was Daniel's retort, still not looking up.
"Hey, I haven't even said anything yet and you've already shot me down!" Lewicki asserted.
Daniel was marking the paper with a red pen, "That's because the translation of 'I need to talk with you' is 'I need to irritate you with something you won't like."
But Lewicki would not give up.
"Your birthday is coming up, Doc," he reminded Daniel.
"A birthday is like any other day, Max." Daniel gave the paper a 'C+'.
"...And..." continued Lewicki, ignoring Daniel's last comment, "I would like to throw a little get together for you…"
Daniel was onto the next paper, but when he heard Lewicki's suggestion, his writing hand froze; he placed his pen down and gave Lewicki his full attention.
"Have we just met, Lewicki? Do you even know me?" Daniel asked, "What do you think I am going to say about you throwing a party for me?"
"Doc, are you grumpy because you don't have a case to work on?" Lewicki guessed, "or are you grumpy because I suggested a party?"
"...both," Daniel responded honestly, as he picked up his pen and began correcting again, "plus I'm also grumpy because it's morning and I'm not a morning person. So that's threestrikes against you."
Lewicki knew if there was going to be a party, he'd better appease Daniel.
"If you're wanting to be on a case so badly, why not consider this One-Letter-Mystery thing your own little case to solve? Lewicki suggested.
Daniel paused, but didn't look up, "Maybe."
Lewicki looked pleased, "Good! Here's to hoping you solve this interesting case soon!"
"Thanks." Daniel seemed more amendable as he read another essay.
"So, Doc, about the party..."
"No."
"Awww, come on Doc!" Lewicki pleaded, "Your birthday happens just once a year! What's wrong with inviting just a few friends?" He then gestured to the empty chair across from Daniel, "Go ahead… talk to her about it."
Daniel scowled and looked up, "…talk to her about it?" he repeated.
"You know what I mean," Lewicki stated as he sat back patiently and gestured to the empty chair.
Daniel's internal thoughts kicked in as Natalie spoke, "He's referring to me, Daniel. Maxwants me to convince you to allow him to throw a party here." She sat looking at Daniel with her usual nonjudgmental expression.
Daniel began writing again, "I think the party idea is preposterous," he told her, "besides, what am I suppose to be doing when this...this...shindig is happening?"
"Mingle, of course," Natalie said gently, "Enjoy being the guest of honor. Daniel, you can't lock yourself up and live like a hermit forever! "
"And why not?" Daniel looked over the top of his glasses at Natalie, "What's wrong with the way I live?"
He watched as a look of pity crossed Natalie's face.
"Daniel," she calmly reasoned, "you can't center your life around me. You need to be out there in the real world. It's for your own good."
"There's no one in the real world I'd want to socialize with," Daniel commented.
"There's Kate," both Natalie and Lewicki answered in unison.
Daniel stopped his correcting. He removed his glasses and stared at an anxious Lewicki.
"Please, Doc.. we can do it this Saturday," Lewicki implored him, "One night out of 365 nights is all I ask of you…please?"
"Lewicki, you know my birthday is on a Tuesday," pointed out Daniel.
Lewicki sighed, "I know that, but we'll be holding it on a Saturday. You do understand that more people are available on Saturdays than Tuesdays, don't you?"
"What do I know about people's availability?" Daniel asked.
At least Daniel was discussing it instead of saying no.
"What do you say, Doc? It that a yes or no?" and then Lewicki sneakily added, "I think Kate would love to attend a party in your honor."
Lewicki kept his fingers crossed. Daniel seemed to be contemplating the issue. He then quietly put his glasses back on and began grading the paper in front of him.
"I know I'm going to resent this..." Daniel mumbled more to himself, while reading the paper at the same time.
Max gave a silent fist pump just before Daniel spoke out again.
"...But there are rules, Max," Daniel specifically informed him, "The party will last for no more than two hours at which point everyone must clear out. Lights will go out precisely at 11 pm and not a second over. Do I make myself clear?"
"I promise, I promise," A smile broke out on Lewicki's face, but Daniel was too busy writing to notice.
"Look at that, Daniel," Natalie now had a proud smile on her face, "you've just made someone's day!"
"Hmmph!" Daniel guffawed, grading the paper a 'B', "That still doesn't make me a morning person!"
Wordlessly Daniel completed the last of his corrections while Lewicki happily proceeded to finish his breakfast.
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The students watched as Daniel came in tp his lecture for today. For a second, he just stood there in the front of the classroom, facing the students. Suddenly a loud female scream could be heard coming from the back of the room.
"Aaahhhhh!"
All heads turned at once towards the back as one the female student was startled by someone with a zombie's face. The' zombie' then ripped the mask from his face, revealing Max Lewicki.
"Surprise! It's just me!" he announced to the relieved girl.
"My god!" student Cassie gasped loudly, a hand over her heart, "You scared me half to death!"
Lewicki grinned mischievously and then looked at Daniel, "I wish I could do this everyday!"
"Thank you, Mr. Lewicki, for the demonstration of the day," Daniel announced as all heads turned to the front of the classroom again.
Daniel then took his marker and wrote the word "FEAR" in big capital letters on the board.
"Fear," began Daniel, "We've all experienced it, but it's only been recently that science has shown an interest in understanding this little-discussed emotion. Scientists now say they know better what is going on inside our brains when something scares us. Knowing how fear rules the brain will help us overcome this emotion in dire situations."
Except when it comes to me, Daniel's inner voice reminded him.
Faith raised her hand, "So, Dr. Pierce, our discussion will be on overcomingfear? Will we also be learning how to eliminate fear from our lives?"
"Not quite eliminating the emotion of fear." Daniel lectured, "The fact is, we need allour emotions in order to survive. This includes the emotion of fear...but " he paused for effect, "like every other emotion, we don't need an overabundance of it...we just need enough of it."
"Dr. Pierce, why would we ever need fear?" Dani called out.
"To put it simply," Daniel responded, "If we didn't have fear, we would all become insensitive snobs to anyone we crossed paths with…."
A few snickers could be heard, yet at the same time, no one seemed convinced that fear was necessary.
"I don't get it," Alex stated, "I've lived my life trying NOT to be scared of anything."
Some students nodded in agreement.
"Let me word it this way... fear is actually a critical element for survival," Daniel reasoned, "Think about it. Could you imagine, for instance, what would happen if we didn't fear law enforcement? Everyone would be speeding instead of quickly taking their foot off the car's accelerator in order to slow down every time a police car came into their view."
Everyone smiled; they all could relate to that.
"And imagine if there were no fear of death," Daniel theorized, "the number of people wanting to bungee jump would be phenomenal. People wouldn't want an airplane to land, they'd just skydive from it once they've reached their intended destination. In other words, the human race would cease to exist if not for our base instincts, which includes the emotion of fear. It is what keeps us safe from ourselves."
His students seemed to be pondering his words. Some started jotting down notes as Daniel continued his lecture on fear for another 45 minutes, thinking how ironic that he was telling them to accept the emotion he struggled against everyday.
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The classroom had already been cleared and Daniel was gathering his things when Kate had entered from the back door. She had attempted to come earlier, but the other FBI case she had been working kept her glued to her desk. Kate always felt she had worked hard to get to be an FBI agent. Being female with a youthful appearance did not exactly help her in her career. She had to prove herself over and over again by being bold, self assured, and tough.
But whenever she saw Daniel, she became a different person. It was like he brought out the softness in her. He made her feel warm and feminine. And she liked that about him.
"Kate," Daniel looked surprise, "I wasn't expecting you."
Although Kate didn't want to admit it, she could have easily just called and told Daniel what she had found out instead of driving all the way out here. But just the thought of seeing him again made her smile.
"It actually was hard for me to get away," Kate admitted, "Reardon is watching me like a hawk, but I was able to do some research for you. I had run down the license plate number of that red-headed woman in the green sedan and came up with some information about her."
Daniel was impressed that she had managed to do that with her busy schedule. He held his briefcase protectively in front of him, "And so what did you find out?" he asked.
"Her name is Hilda Jones, age 34," Kate explained, "She's been here in Chicago for a month or so. She's listed as living in a rooming house behind the industrial plant in Pilsen. Her background was as a cleaning maid, although I couldn't find her current employment. And that's it."
"That's it?" Daniel seemed surprised, "That's not much to go on."
"Well, at least no police record. She seems harmless enough."
"To you, maybe," Daniel said, "but that won't make her stop watching me. Do you think you could, in the capacity of an FBI agent, go over and talk with her the next time she's in stalking mode?"
"On what grounds?" Kate asked, "It's not illegal to sit in a car in a public street. Besides, it's really outside of my professional jurisdiction."
"Which never stopped you before," Daniel pointed out.
A small smile peeked out from Kate, "True, but I am trying to keep within my circle of responsibility, remember? At least this time. And with my money laundering case pending, I don't think I could afford the time right now to deal with another situation if someone reported me for unlawful questioning."
Daniel felt a stab of disappointment. He almost wanted the anonymous woman to be stalking him so that at least he and Kate could be working on a case.
"I guess you have your work to do," Daniel stated, sounding somewhat disappointment.
Kate liked that it was so easy to read any emotion Daniel was feeling. Except, of course, when he had to show his true feelings regarding her. She couldn't help noticing Daniel's cinnamon-flecked eyes watching her, causing a strange, tingling sensation to run down her spine. She tried to keep from turning scarlet while hiding a disappointed expression at the same time.
"I'm sorry, Daniel that I couldn't help you anymore" she sincerely stated, "and unfortunately, I've really got to get back to my own office."
"Oh, I understand, "Daniel assured her, "You need to go. Don't worry, I'll be alright."
She smiled encouragingly, "At least you'll have your party to look forward to."
But that was actually another one of his fears.
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It was late afternoon by the time Daniel trudged up to the steps of his front door. As he inserted the key in the lock, he covertly turned halfway behind him. From his peripheral vision, he could see the front of a green sedan and his heart jerked violently.
Ignore it, ignore it, he murmured under his breath. He should be used to overlooking things he did not want to see. Come to think of it, was the woman in the sedan really even there this time? Maybe this time it was his imagination. But then again, maybe not.
Daniel opened his front door and his foot slid on something. Looking down at the foyer floor, his eyes got very round at what he saw.
Just inside his front door was another white envelope that had obviously been shoved underneath the door with the words "Dr. Daniel Pierce" typed across it in capital letters. A shudder of dread went through his entire body.
Receiving a let-ter was one of his biggest fears.
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(Okay, the first two episodes of season 2 on Perception were wonderful, BUT still no Daniel/Kate moments?! What's going on, TV writers? :D)
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