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 Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 8:07 pm
The humanity that burst through the speaker in a quick, almost forgetful burst- was pulled back just as quickly- reigned in, it seemed, by her professionalism and by that line which marked the appropriate distance between the doctors and the subjects. But it had been real, it had been heartfelt, and Emelyn had heard the emotion in her voice- the fear. And it went straight to Emelyn's heart- despite all her own fears and doubts that had plagued her since becoming a permanent member of the island of Doctor Moreau. She realized there was more to this offer than keeping her pride in tact- there was allowing Aubrey to realize that not everyone on the island despised her, and that there was still humanity in her own soul, no matter how much animal DNA infiltrated it. ...There was more at stake here- perhaps even to just kindle the tiniest ember that the woman may still possess for kindness and understanding to the islanders. One day, one of them may need it- and Aubrey may look back to this day to decide whether it was worth it or not to extend herself out to Moreau, to put herself on the line. It would likely, Emelyn thought, be a long day in coming that she'll openly trust again- but at least there's a chance this can all be made right.
"It must have been terrifying," Emelyn said gently, and honestly, remembering her own brush with death in the woods. Though it had been nowhere near as violent- there had still been the knowledge that death may be imminent- that she would die... all alone, ravaged by a man too far gone to realize what he was doing as he tore her to shreds. The memory would not soon leave her, and she drew upon it as she spoke to Aubrey. "I'm just glad you're okay. ...But, if you feel the need to do something- I... well," Emelyn searched her mind for something- anything that she could ask the woman for. Her mind drew a blank, until she drew on that memory of the Jamal attack once more- specifically, the last thought that had been in her mind.
"...Living out here is a little lonely. Perhaps- if there's a spare lab animal laying around that you wouldn't mind letting go of? A cat or a dog, maybe? Just something that I could take care of."
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Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 8:10 pm
Aubrey gave a relieved sigh, infinately thankful she didn't ask for something she knew she's have to decline. "Of course... of course. I promise I'll get you something soon... something absolutely wonderful - I'll hand pick it myself."
Aubrey removed her glasses and tossed them down on the table beside her bed, closing her file. "Thank you again, Ms. White. I won't forget this. Ever."
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Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 8:16 pm
"Thank you. ...And... get better. Next time I get a vicious cold or whatever ends up sending me to the labs, I want it to be your face that I see." Emelyn paused, debating whether to say what else was on her mind. "... And by the way- if you'd like, you can call me Emelyn." She said it softly, almost reverently- something about 'Ms. White' seemed so impersonal and distant- and if she was going to be here for the rest of her life, at least she could be on a first name basis. ...Even with her captors.
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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 8:48 am
Anjali Frangipani Later in the day, a pair of potted orchids - of a kind seen in the jungle, but these have been tamed and cultivated - arrive at the labs for Aubrey. A carefully-laminated note is attached to one of the pots. Anjali Dear Aubrey, I hope these little friends of mine find you well, or rapidly becoming so. I was saddened to hear of the attack and would like to extend you the kindness you offered to me. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you. With best wishes for your prompt recovery, Anjali The orchids are hardy and carry a lovely light perfume, not too strong and quite pleasant indeed.
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Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 12:54 am
Moreau had finished up working on something. He hadn't been gone too long of course. He rarely left Aubrey's side for very long at all. Of course, tonight he had something very special planned. He'd recently recieved the Doctor's reports and had something in store for his fiance tonight.
Things had gone Moreau's way and he was in a very good mood tonight. He rolled the object towards the door and left it there, going ahead and walking in. She was very pretty sleeping there, very at peace. He smiled at Aubrey and very gently shook her to wake her out of her slumber.
Aubrey shifted in her bed, waking up slowly from his touch. "Hey," she smiled up at him, trying to sit up a bit. "What time is it..?"
"Late into the evening..." Moreau said as he softly brushed her hair. He offered to help her up a bit. "How have you been?"
She grabbed onto his arm and sat up, wincing a bit in pain. "I'm okay. This medicine really knocks me out though. I'm bored, Nick. I want to go back to work." She gave him a smile and took his hands. "Among some other things..."
Moreau smiled and brough himself lower to Aubrey's level. "As far as the work... that may just be possible." Moreau kissed Aubrey lightly, but as far as "other things" that might take a bit more time to be safe. Still, thanks to our medical advancements you are healing leaps and bounds ahead of modern medicine allows."
"I feel so lucky," she admitted. "Almost a bit guilty. By all accounts I should be dead." She nuzzled as close to him at the bed would allow. "You saved my life, literally."
"I'm just glad we were able to do so. I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you to anything." he pulled Aubrey close to him. His own statement by default a little scarey. Just the way it was said of course.
Aubrey smiled warmly, utterly basking in the aftereffects of her near-death experience. She liked this Moreau. A lot. She always felt like her place by his side was a position of honor - something she earned. But there were very few times she truely believed Moreau needed her. "Hopefully we'll never have to cross that bridge," she said softly. "So, what's up?"
"Well... here." Moreau reached into his lab coat and pulled out a small one handed directional styled device. He pushed it as a small motor sound was heard outside of the door and as he used his fingers to direct it a sleek black wheelchair like device rolled in the door. It had a space in one of the arms where this device obviously went. "This is for you... your well enough to be out of bed."
Aubrey smiled widely, looking it over. "Oh god, yes... " She placed a hand over her bandages. "I think I can manage sitting up and all just fine. At least I'll be able to get to a decent computer and labs, yes?"
Moreau smiled and pushed a button on the wheelchair and a screen opened on the opposite arm to a small screen, under the screen was a small keyboard that could be pulled out. "If you need to of course. You should be able to get a lab computer, but with this you shouldn't need to. You can get around to the labs and with the remote you can move it into a corner when your sleeping for example, or working on something somewhere else. You'll never have to worry about bringing it to you."
"You spoil me" she said wryly. There was just something a bit disturbing, but sweet nonetheless, about having have the need to supply your significant other with a wheel chair. "Hopefully this will just be a temporary thing. But I can promise you I have no intention of trying to walk for a while..." a frown tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"Well with the proper regenerative gene theorpy who knows. Speaking of which..." Moreau produced a needle. Just like the ones Aubrey had seen to be used on her previously to speed the healing process. Still, seeing Moreau with a needle each time must have been slightly disturbing.
Aubrey swallowed by instinct. It still disturbed her that he had seemed awfully forgiving about the Billy thing. He hadn't pressed how far they went - Aubrey admitted to kissing but to her horror she learned from her file that she had returned with Billy shirt on.
She eyed the needle carefully, moving the IV tube so Moreau could reach it easier. She gave an uneasy smile.
Moreau nodded and inserted the needle into the IV tube. He nodded back down as the serum rushed into her bloodstream. "Now that that is taken care of why don't you give this a spin? We are late." Moreau offered his arm to help get Aurey into the chair.
Aubrey quirked her eyebrow at him. "What do you have up your sleeve?" It was a bit of a struggle getting into the chair. She caerefully released herself from the IVs long enough to get situated, and she hadn't moved more than the simple sitting up since she woke up. Her body was so sore she about passed out, but she steeled herself and settled upright into the chair. She moved her toes slightly, just thankful that she could, and pulled the hospital blanket over her lap.
Moreau nodded as he helped her into the chair. "It also swivles in the middle, you should have near complete control." he grinned. "Now come on, we are going to the mansion, we'll take the elevator down the hall." Moreau let Aubrey get used to the chair, when she was ready he'd just follow her lead.
It took Aubrey a few minutes to get used to it, but to be honest she liked the idea of not having to be pushed. She made it to the elevator, often looking back over to make sure Moreau was following and trying to read his expression.
Moreau seemed to be buzzing a bit. He looked as he normally did when he had somewhere he wanted to be but wasn't there on time. He kept looking down at the watch but overall he seemed in to not be in a foul mood by any means. It was scarey, he looked almost.... chipper. When they entered the elevator Moreau spoke loudly. "Mansion" and the elevator began to rise.
Aubrey didn't hide her quizacle look. She was curious, insanely so.. and wondered what could get Moreau looking so giddy. So much so, the silence of the elevator was deafening. "Did you see Anjali gave me flowers?"
Moreau nodded his head. "I did..." Moreau didn't sound that interested in whatever gifts the islanders might have given her. They were, after all, the reason she'd been out there the whole time. Her attatchment to them. "By the by, I wanted to congradulate you on how you handled Sabin." Moreau said changing the subject.
"Oh?" Aubrey looked up at him. "I was ...wondering what you thought about that. I didn't know if you were still... sore over that whole..' she frowned, "incident."
Moreau laughed a little. "No, now he knows well enough not to cross me, and owes you his job. Thus he knows not to mess with either of us. I'd say it went rather well." the elevator dinged as it opened into the mansion. Moreau smiled and said "the dining room love."
Aubrey hoped the man didn't go all out, though she felt her stomach turn just at the words. She had been on a feeding tube until very recently, and still could barely stomach anything solid - whether that was the hospital food or her own bilogy she wasn't sure. BUt she steeled herself, not getting her hopes up. Moreau might want her on the liquid diet a few more weeks. At least it was agood diet - Aubrey had to have dropped at least 10 pounds, if not more.
"I see..." she smiled. "He's good at what he does, you can't deny it." She glanced up. "So.. is Robin back to where she was or...?"
"No... she's been given her own team. A few promotions and some experienced members of Sabin's team that I took off, replaced them with a couple of new people. Nothing they both shouldn't be able to get used to." when Moreau lead Aubrey into the dining room, she saw it had been completely transformed. A huge display on the far side, Moreau seemed to have turned it into a movie theater. There was a spot for her chair and a chair right next to it. It was an LCD screen, not a projector. There was the smell of popcorn in the air, and apparently a small fresh popped dish of it near Moreau's side of the chair. "I just figured since we'd never had a first... date. Like we might have otherwise." Moreau grinned and looked at Aubrey's reaction. "I decided to avoid gum on the floor... realism aside."
Aubrey's jaw nearly hit her lap. "Nick.. I..." she looked around, her hand going to her cover her gaping mouth. "What's gotten into you... I.." Oh what the hell was she doing questioning it. She chuckled and looked up at him. "First date, eh? I hope you don't expect me to put out. I'm not that kind of girl," she teased.
"Oh really? Well, darn, guess you should go home now... I only date the easy ones." Moreau grinned to Aubrey. He looked away for a moment, reminding himself he needed to remind her why he was better than some sickening pond skum of a man. He sat down as Aubrey rolled up next to him. "I got Casablanca, it is supposed to be one of the most romantic movies ever made. I've never seen it."
"Its been ages - but its a classic." She took Moreau's hand as she set down. "You know speaking of easy- I heard a rumor once my freshman year. You know, when you were TAing that organic chemistry lab, that Anna Kavinski slept with you in hopes of getting a better grade but you gave her a D anyway." She raised her brow and gave him a sidelong glance. She had wasn't to ask that for years, but she never had the right lead in.
Moreau swallowed a bit. "It's a good movie you say?" Moreau avoided the subject a bit. He didn't want to do anything to bring a close to their evening right now.
Aubrey chuckled. "Well, did you? Its allright, Nick. I didn't figure you were a... you now. I mean.." her brows creased. "Were you? Now I'm all curious." She gave him a warm smile. She was just genuinely interested - not judging.
"Well, she might have said she slept with me to make herself look better. In actuality I had her give me a b*****b under Professor Burnstien's desk. I think the poor girl felt a little degraded." he smiled. It was a pleasent thought, but that was the kind of person Moreau certaintly would. "But I mean, well, yes, she did it before I'd even graded the paper, but he paper was so bad I just couldn't bring myself to give her anything but a D. She should have gotten an F."
Aubrey couldn't help but blush a bit, but laughed behind her hand anyway. "So... her plan worked... in a way. I mean, she did better than she could have." She nuzzled closer to him. "Sorry, I've just been waiting ... ten years to ask that. We don't do this enough. You know... just talk."
"Of course we do Aubrey. Atleast we did." Moreau sighed, of course, their conversations mostly consisted of scientific discussions, on which they could go one for hours. There had rarely been such laid back coversations. "Still... there were complications."
"I mean about stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with work." She tugged on his arm, trying to keep the mood light but hoping she didn't just stick her foot in hermouth. "Complications?"
"You... you make me jelous. The time you spend with the islanders, and I don't just mean Colche. If anything, she is an exception." After meeting Colche he really couldn't feel any anamosity towards. But Moreau didn't like the fact that Aubrey was so attatched to the rest of them. He also didn't like the fact that so many of them thought so much worse of him than her. He didn't want to be seen as benevolant, but there was no arguement he did a lot of things to keep their lives from being completely miserable. Often times with no help from Aubrey. He gave them things, lots of things, of course that was Moreau's way of currying favor, it was the only way he understood. Flash money at it to fix it.
Aubrey's expression softened. "I'm just willing to reach out to them more than others.. I... I can't help it. I have a bleeding heart... as much as I can and still consider myself a scientist. I understand that sacrifices have to be made... but for me its easier for me to deal with that truth by allowing my... my humantity to shine through where others detatch. Allowing myself to feel a bit of their pain, Nick, I think it what keeps me sane sometimes." She shook her head. "I think you gave on them too easily. But only a rare few of them don't hate even me. Jamal's the extreme. I think I was lucky that I happened to be found by one of the FEW islanders I think that would have said anything."
"I know... and Ms. White is owed a debt of grattitude for that." Moreau sighed. "But that isn't the point. Look what it got you into... and is it worth making me miss and worry about you at the same time." Moreau hugged Aubrey close. "I'll just spend more time with you... so it won't be an issue."
Aubrey blinked in surprised, but wrapped her arms around him. "Nick... why I ran into the storm had nothing to do with the islanders..." She stroked his hair, for some reason feeling an uneasy feeling in her stomach.
Moreau ignored her statement. Moreau understood that wasn't why she ran into the storm. She wasn't getting the bigger picture though, one of the primary reasons he had been so upset lately. His own attempts to put her further apart from the islanders had just about driven her into the arms... or perhaps it was tentacles of one of them. "I can spend a bit less time with my research, and we can work together when I am. It'll be like high school. But we have the rest of our lives right?" Moreau wrapped his arms back around her, being as gentle as he could be.
Allright, Moreau was being...alittle creepy. My god... this is what his work would feel like if it was sentient, wasn't it?
Be careful what you wish for... "Cut down on your research, Nick?" She forced a laugh and playfully out her hand on his forehead. "I think your the one who might be sick now..."
"Just a bit, I did promote a whole new team after all... they can pick up a bit of the slack, and we can work together again." Moreau nodded, happy with his decision. He'd make sure that Aubrey had no reason to run off to those... subjects... again.
"I love working with you, baby," she said, leaning forward and giving him a gentle kiss. "Look, Nick, does this have anything to do with... Billy?"
"Of course not Aubrey" he smiled. "Are we going to watch this movie or not?" Moreau sat down and pushed down on a remote. The screen came on with a quick hum and he slid his arm around Aubrey.
Aubrey chewed on her bottom lip. "Nick...its okay to talk about things like that. I don't want there to be any... secrets between us."
"There is nothing to worry about anymore Aubrey." Moreau's tone made it pretty obvious he didn't want to talk about it any further. It was a tone that Aubrey would have heard previously and probably known pretty well.
A sinking feeling came to Aubrey stomach. She didn't want to make Moreau angry, and that tone honestly scared her a litte. Like her father's voice when he was angry. Calm, but a razor's edge of threatening. "Of course," she said, forcing a smile. "Lets watch the movie."
Without even realizing it, she began to figit with the heavy ring on her left finger.
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