CH46 (125)

Kali was in the hospital recovering from her operation to have her weapon permanently attached. Kali was sleeping while Alexis watched over her. Kali had been thru a lot yesterday and Alexis was worried about her.

Add an operation onto all of it and Alexis knew she was seriously stressed.

Alexis watched a guy come in and take her vitals and inspect her surgery location. "How's she doing." Alexis spoke up and watched him jump out of his skin.

"Sorry I didn't mean to frighten you." Alexis scrunched up her face.

"Good thing this is a hospital then. They can revive me when I die from a heart attack." He teased back at Alexis. Alexis giggled back at him.

"Your sister?" He asked since he knew the name on the forms and recognized Alexis from the Castle Gardens. Alexis just nodded.

"She'll sleep thru most of the day. Then be on pain medication and medication to prevent her system from rejecting the attachment. What we want to really look out for is to make sure none of her blood vessels are cut off. We don't want any of the area to die on her.

When she wakes she'll feel the added weight that she'll have to adapt to. Plus it will likely itch till she adapts to having it. Then she'll need training on how to use it.

Physical therapy will increase her arm strength so she will stop noticing the added weight.

Your sister will be fine." He smiled at Alexis. Then turned to finish what he was doing. Then Kali snorted in her sleep.

He leaned in close and moved some hair away carefully and then checked her eyes. "She's in REM sleep. … She's dreaming." He clarifies.

"It sounds like you've done this before." Alexis comments.

"Kali is the third person to have her weapon attached today. There are three more scheduled for tomorrow. I'm scheduled to watch all of them undergo the procedure." He explains.

"And then what?" Alexis was curious.

"Kali is the last one I get to watch over before the next three operations. Then I have to finish packing. I'm scheduled to do my residency on Ariel. I'm actually kind of looking forward to it. I'm dying to see green.

I was worried that I was going to be assigned to Athos or one of the other colonies. Athos and Callisto have too much dessert, and Cyliene has wayyyy too much water." He chuckled. He felt he got lucky somehow.

Then he turned to check all the points Kali's weapon touched her arm, and then applied something to soothe her skin to try and prevent it from itching.

While he was working on Kali's arm, Kali let out a sigh. He looked up at her eyes. "Must be some dream."

He was ready to leave. "You can go get lunch. She isn't going to wake for hours. If it helps I'll look in on her after each of the other operations."

Alexis stood up to look at her sister then looked at the nurse/doctor who was watching over her. "Thanks." And Alexis left, but didn't get far.

Alexis stopped at the nurse's desk. "Do you know the guy who is in there with my sister?"

The nurse looked down the hall and watched the guy step out of the room but was still looking into the room.

"That's Joseph Stelzmann. He's about to leave for Ariel to start his residency as a surgeon. We're a little short staffed at the moment and he volunteered to watch over all the detectives that are having their weapons attached last night and today.

I think he leaves tonight. Not likely to get much sleep between now and then. I overheard people talking about his mother died in an accident and his father died a month ago. Some kind of medical problem I think.

It's sad. He's a nice guy, maybe a little too quiet. I think he was volunteered to do this and he's just to soft spoken to say no. Some lady is likely to come along and run rough shod over him and turn him into a wimp.

It's sad, he deserves better. I tried to match him up with one of my friends, but they didn't hit it off. I think she's just as soft spoken as he is. I guess they were just too much alike." The nurse went to answer the phone.

Alexis went to find lunch. While sitting there eating, she called her husband to tell him where she was and that she would be going back to the hospital until Elena relieved her. Then she would catch up to him.

Alexis knew her father had gone out and bought Disneyland tickets for everyone yet again. Her 12 year old dad was shining thru again. Even if he was fast approaching 70 and that was starting to concern her.

Then she made another call. "Hi lucy, I need you to do me a favor. … His name is Joseph Stelzmann." And Alexis proceeded to detail what she wanted to Lucy.

"This sounds a lot like what you did when you were younger with Mr. Beckett and the Quellers and the Walkers." Lucy was no fool. "So who are you thinking needs help this time?"

Alexis than walked Lucy what had happened with Kali at her graduation.

Alexis heard Lucy growl. "I'll take care of it pumpkin (munchkin and Ooompa loompa were long gone), and him. Leave it to me." Lucy was mad, and she had connections or could make them.

"Thanks Lucy. Try not to tell mom or dad." Alexis adds.

"Now that is different. It used to be that you wanted your fathers advise." Lucy notices the difference.

"I guess I've changed." Alxis grins. "Maybe just a little." Alexis giggles, and ends the call.

Alexis went back to check on Kali and found Joseph in Kali's room looking her over again. "Hi, J,... " Alexis just barely caught herself. Saying his name when he hadn't told her what it was.

"Oh hi." Joseph almost jumped again. "I'm between surgeries and I thought I would check on her before the next one in about an hour." Alexis was convinced she thought she saw a blush starting before he turned back to Kali to check her arm, again.

"Thanks, it's thoughtful of you." Alexis was grinning behind his back.

"I'll let you spend some time with her. If she wakes up, which isn't likely or you need something, just press the button and the nurse down the hall will come." And Joseph retreated.

Alexis was still grinning at him after he was gone. It was another hour before Elena showed up and took her place.

Alexis warned her about Joseph probably coming in to check on Kali.

"What are you up to sis?" Elena knew that look.

"Nothing, … he's just shy and kinda cute. Don't go all detective on me." Alexis hugged and mock kissed her. "Dad has tickets for Disneyland for everyone again. I'll see you in the morning." Alexis left Elena.

After the door closed. "Right!" Elena was starting to smell deflection. Her sister was up to something.

About 3 hours later Joseph came into the room and checked on Kali yet again. He was soft and gentle and very careful while still being thorough in his job, when Elena said something and made him jump out of his skin again.

"I'm going to need a heart transplant." Then he saw the weapon on Elena's arm. "I didn't know detectives were so stealthy." Joseph retreated quickly not giving Elena much time to say anything.

However after he was gone Elena pulled out her phone while leaving Kali's room looking for some privacy.

"Ok sis, I've seen this Joseph. What are you planning?" Elena knew something was going on.

"Nothing." Alexis answers back quickly. Maybe a little too quickly, not sounding convincing.

"He was in surgical scrubs and wasn't wearing a name, so how do you know his name? And I watched him with our sister. So talk, or I'll come over there and sit on you till you do." Elena wanted answers. Her sister had already been thru a lot.

Alexis moans into her phone. "I looked him up and asked around and I have Lucy doing something for me." Maybe that would satisfy her.

"Yeah the first part I could guess, but what is Lucy doing and why do you need Lucy?" Elena kept digging. There was more to this story.

"He's been assigned to do his residency on Ariel. You and Kali are going to be working on Ariel, …" Alexis trails off, since what she had Lucy doing could get her into trouble with a detective. Just maybe not Elena, but still.

"And you have a feeling about this Joseph." It was too soon to hook up their sister with anyone. She hadn't fully recovered from the last one yet.

"And they're both going to be on Ariel, …" Alexis trails off.

"Ariel is a big place sis. And unless there is a job for us to do at the hospital he's going to be at they'll never see each other." Elena points out the flaw in her sister's obvious plan.

"I know, that's why I'm having Lucy lose his apartment rental reservation." Alexis cringes. Any other detective and Alexis would be in trouble.

"Good thing I'm your sister then huh. But how does him not having a place to stay help? … You're going to offer him a place to stay and when Kali comes to visit, …." Elena thought she had it.

"Not actually, …. No." Alexis made a face. 'Please don't be mad' kind of face.

"What have you done?" Elena glares at her.

"Kali is likely to be staying with mom and dad till she decides she wants her own place. And the house has 6 bedrooms with mom and dad all alone, …." Alexis tried to grin but it came out looking kinda funny.

"You're going to get him to stay with mom and dad and of course Kali. They'll be forced to interact with each other since they will be living under the same roof." Elena saw the plan now.

"You are devious sister of mine, … very devious. Just one problem, how do you propose to convince mom and dad of this and what makes you think this will work?" Elena didn't see the appeal. Besides would mom and dad let some stranger stay with them?

"Well they'll be forced to talk and live with each other. Just like mom and dad did when mom crashed on Earth. He doesn't know how to fly a shuttle so he'll be trapped there unless Kali or mom or dad fly him out.

It'll give them a chance to get to know each other gradually and maybe she'll finally see that she loves him just like mom did with dad. And as for mom and dad letting him stay, …. Well that's where I was hoping you would come in." Alexis put on her best 'please don't shoot me' look.

"You want me to join in your little conspiracy?" Elena glared at Alexis thru her phone.

"P-L-E-A-S-E! … Sis has been thru enough already. He's nice, he's sweet, a little shy, has a good solid job plus I think he's already smitten with her. … And he's cute." Alexis pleaded her case with her sister.

"And he FEELS right." Elena moans. Her sister really knew how to push her buttons. And the look on Alexis's face wasn't helping.

"FINE!" Elena moans. "I'll help you get mom and dad to let him stay. But you better be right sis, or we're both dead. Two detectives against just me and you isn't going to be much of a fair fight." Kali and her mother were going to mop the floor with them.

Alexis just squealed. "They'll never know what hit them. Thanks sis." And Alexis ends the call.

"Yeah, we'll be lucky if we see it coming alright. …. Hi dear I'm home, better kiss me now because my mother and sister are about to kill me." Elena was convinced they were both doomed.

Turned out Alexis and Elena got to work on Alexis's plan just 2 weeks later. Lucy had made sure his reservation to Ariel was continually lost until the Castle clan was ready to go. They all found themselves on the same cruise ship. One of the little ones.

Alexis had found Joseph sitting in one of the common areas reading a tablet. Alexis shoved Kali down in a seat facing him. "I'm going to go get us some ice cream. Ice cream solves everything." Alexis tells her and walks off.

Kali was quiet but was taking peeks at Joseph now and then wondering what he is reading.

"Is your weapon irritating you?" Joseph whispered out quietly.

"What?" Kali asks him since she didn't hear all the words.

"I was asking if you weapon was giving you trouble." Joseph speaks up a bit more, though still soft.

"It itches, but the nurse told me not to scratch, but it's driving me crazy." Kali was all set to scratch even though she was told not to.

"I have some cream for that in my room." Joseph offered.

"It'll be fine, no need." Some strange guy just happened to have cream.

"It's no problem really. I was applying it to your arm while you were in the hospital. … You can ask your sister. She watched me do it. … I volunteered to watch all the surgeries for the new detectives, and then I looked in on you a few times. Just to make sure you were resting comfortably.

It's no problem, … really." Joseph explained.

"Did it help?" It was driving her crazy.

"It's suppose to. Only one way to find out." Joseph tries to smile at her.

"Sure, I'll give it a shot." Kali was willing to try almost anything.

"Great. I'll be right back." And he drops his pad on his chair and walks off quickly.

Joseph had been gone about a minute when Alexis came back with cones for both of them.

Alexis handed one to Kali then picked up the pad on the chair. "Did someone leave this?" Alexis looks at Kali.

"He said he had some kind of cream that would help with the itching. It's driving me crazy. He said you knew who he was." Kali licks her cone.

"I saw him come into your room after your surgery a couple of times." Alexis decided to do some snooping while licking her cone.

"He's reading dad's latest book." Alexis comments. "At least he has good taste." Alexis puts the pad back down before he comes back.

"Lots of people read dads books." Kali pointed out.

Joseph was back in a minute and kneeled on the floor to apply the cream to Kali's arm. "There give that a few minutes and it should help." Joseph smiles at her then retreats to his chair to go back to reading.

Alexis and Kali were done with their cones. "Thanks, it seems to be working." Kali points out as the stand to leave.

"I'm glad it helped." Joseph answers back.

Kali walks off with Alexis trailing behind. Alexis thought about saying something but thought better of it. If she pushed too hard Kali would get suspicious and only fight it.

Kali was just getting up for a shower, when she caught herself scratching at her weapon. "DAMN IT!"

After her very early morning shower she went to the observation deck and found it empty so she started doing her morning exercises. One hour in the morning was worth two at night.

Kali had just finished when she noticed Joseph just sitting at the door watching her. As soon as he noticed he had been caught he looked away. "It's early." Kali comments.

Joseph looks up at her. "I like looking out at the stars. Wondering who is out there." Joseph goes back to looking at the floor.

Then he looks up. "How's your arm?" He points.

"It itches like crazy. It's driving me mad." Kali was all set to scratch at it now that she was thinking about it again.

"I can meet you for breakfast with the cream if you want." Joseph wasn't going to ask her to his room. Besides she would just say no. They all say no. Breakfast was in a public place.

"Sure it worked last time. I'll try anything." Kali was thinking of using ice to cool or freeze the area.

"I'll meet you there." Joseph hoped up and walked off quickly.

Joseph found her at a table eating so he went thru the line and got something light to eat. Mostly just finger fruits. Then he sat down in front of her after announcing himself.

"Give me your arm." Joseph picked up the cream off his tray to open it.

"My sister and I used to love those things when we were little." Kali nods her head towards his finger fruits.

Joseph grinned while applying the cream. "I got addicted to them while in medical school. I had a lot of late nights and no time to go eat proper meals. These things were quick and easy and supposedly good for you.

I found some of them gave me an energy boost. Helped me keep my eyes open while reading boring text books." Joseph grinned thinking it was a joke, just maybe not a good one.

"What were you studying that was so boring?" Kali remembered he said he had looked in on her after her surgery.

"I was studying to be a surgeon. I've read everything about human body parts so many times I'm surprised I haven't gone blind." This time he got Kali to chuckle lightly.

It got Joseph to grin. A minor success. After he was done applying the cream he started eating his fruits. While making small talk with Kali.

Eventually the rest of the Castle clan made it into breakfast.

"Who's Kali talking with?" Kate asked no one in particular.

"His name is Joseph. He was looking in on Kali after her surgery a couple of times. I met him while watching over her till she woke up." Elena explains.

"What's he doing here?" Kate had more questions. Getting Elena to shrug her shoulders.

"Pumpkin?" Kate knew she was with Kali too.

"He's studying to be a surgeon. He was helping all the detectives have their weapons attached." Alexis gives over a little information.

"They seem to be getting along relatively well." Kate notices.

"Maybe Kali is feeling better after Deiter." Alexis offers.

"I hope so, I sincerely hope so. I don't ever want to hear that guy's name again." Kate went silent while eating her breakfast while stealing glances over at Kali and this Joseph. Cursing internally to herself for letting Elena escort him out of the building before she had a chance to apply a little pressure to him in certain locations.

He needed to be taught a lesson for what he had done, and for messing with her family.