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 Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:08 pm
The still warm afternoon sunlight of late spring seeped through the transparent windown panes. The silver metals on the buzzing laptop shimmered in reflection to the sun. The image of the bright but beginning to darken sky were projected on to the two glass pieces that hang lose on the ridge of his nose, hiding his usally piercing icy blue eyes. The young, silver-haired doctor had all his attention to the computer screen that flashed in front of his face, his fingers skipping, not missing a single one of their marks on the white keyboard. His eyes, unseen by others, scanned his own passages quickly but with caution, picking out any potnetial mistakes. His body was perfectly straight, not leaning itself back onto the comfortable office chair.
Kenth dressed as usual, in his white lab coat. He wore, however, merely a plain shirt underneath instead of the usual black suit, since the clothing of habit was drenched in his own blood a few weeks ago. If one looked on the right angle, bandages could be seen wrapped on his arms, as the fingers flew across the keyboard.
Pressing down the enter key, Kenth let out a soft sigh and leaned back a little, reading the paragraph he'd have just written. His hands were rubbed together, as he felt soreness in his fingers, which were just recovered from the injurty in China) from typing too long and too fast. Afterwards he'd press lightly on his stomach, where the internal wound were still hurting. He really shouldn't be up, as cautioned by the good Dr. Manneth, but work was work...it had to be done.
Closing his eyes and taking off his glasses just for a brief moment, Kenth rubbed on his temples. What happened a few weeks ago still lingered in his mind. Perhaps that was also the reason he was so eager to get back to work...only working would make those unpleasant memories go away.
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:22 pm
On a day like this, the woman would have gladly been outside, frolicing in the water or taking advantage of the beautiful weather with a picnic or mere cloud-gazing. As it were, the woman had other plans, and they involved a certain individual that was apparently rarely seen outside, regardless of how fine it was. A tanned hand ran over her olive green tank top, thumb hooking into the hoops of her white jeans, feeling a little nervous as she found the door. Of course, it quickly turned into excitement, and her other hand raised to give two sharp knocks.
"Doctor?" she inquired as she gently pushed the door open, poking her head in. Her hair was left down, as it still hurt to put any pressure against the back of her head; hairclips were out of the question. The ebon locks spilled over her shoulders to her mid-back, her green eyes as bright and cheery as ever.
Spotting the man with his back turned, she felt a strange surge of relief flood through her. She'd wait to see if he'd give her a moment of his time before stepping in further, or otherwise annoying him so quickly. Coming from Alex, she was showing a huge amount of restraint, as she would have loved nothing more than to bound across the room and enfold him in a tight embrace.
However, she rather valued her well being at the moment, and was content to wait.
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:28 pm
Kenth had heard the knock, but he had expected to wait for a little before responding---out of habit. However, unknown to him that somehow the door was unlocked, the young doctor almost jumped as someone came into his office without his consent. Although hearing that familiar female voice, Kenth mentally made a "I knew it would be her" remark. Before turning to Alex, however, he remembered to put his glasses back on. A little rushed and the action was a bit obvious, but it had served its purpose. Kenth then turned. He had many choices on what to say. In fact, there were so many that he was forced to stay silent for the moment to think about which one he should choose to say. So instead, he watched the dark skinned woman in silence, eyes focusing on the intruder.
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:31 pm
The young woman practically overflowed with joy to see him again. He looked well, which did her heart quite good, and he hadn't rolled his eyes or otherwised grumped at her. That was a good sign! Alex tilted her head to the side, regarding the handsome doctor with a fond smile. "Do you have a minute? I promise I wont keep you long."
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:33 pm
Of course, the dark skinned woman always had a way to stop him from thinking! Kenth coughed as he brushed all the useless choices away now that Alex had went on from greetings. And now, Kenth was left with only one way to respond---
"What can I help you with?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:36 pm
Alex slid through the small space the door had allowed her, closing it behind herself with a soft click. Biting her lip thoughtfully, she decided to be polite first; it wouldn't do either of them any good to rush into the 'my savior' speech. "How are you feeling?" she asked in a gentle voice, taking a few steps towards him before stopping. She absently picked at the hem of her tank top, eyes fixated on the man, her expression one of softness and concern. "It's good to see you."
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:39 pm
Kenth raised an eyebrow. What in the world did she want?
"Good to see you too, your wounds..." Kenth started and paused, not sure how to continue.
"Your wounds...did you want me to look at them or something?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:48 pm
The woman snorted softly, then gave a little laugh. Already he was avoiding her care; she'd expected no less. Deciding to let him have his way, she lifted the hem of her tank top just to the bottom of her chest, displaying the horribly black bruises that lined her ribs, stopping roughly above her belly button. "Not much anyone can do for these, 'cept let time do its job." Alex gave a delicate shrug and dropped the shirt; her back looked worse, and she'd spare him that for now.
"Actually, I..." She hesitated, green eyes leaving the doctor's face and taking a quick glance around his office. It was a strange feeling, being in the place that Kenth had been long before they'd ever met. Collecting her thoughts, she continued, "I wanted to thank you...for everything. You've done so much, with so little in return."
She rested her gaze upon him once more, feeling that surge of relief take her again. The woman was truly grateful that he was okay, especially...after she learned what he did for her. The need to just give him a tight hug was near ovewhelming; that's when the idea struck her. A smile took to her lips again, and she spoke with clarity and obvious glee, "Since you've done so much, I can only offer you what I have. So!"
Alex started to cross her arms and stopped, flinching a little although she was still smiling. "A hug or a kiss. Your choice. BUT!" Oh no, he couldn't sneak out of this one! "If you don't answer me straight, you're getting both." Sure, it was a totally random thing to spring on the poor man, but it would at least give her some sense of gratitude. Her family had always been loving, so mere words would not sait the Italian's desire to show how highly she thought of the man.
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:54 pm
Kenth shruddered a little at the sight of the scar. Were all of them from the indicent in China? Were they from...the moment she tried to save his life? Instictively Kenth looked away from the sight, trying to shake the thought from his head.
Kenth was about to reply in the most polite way he could think of in response to Alex's thanks, but her next words came somewhat unexpected. Kenth dazed a little, not sure what she was really saying.
"I'm sorry, what?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 6:57 pm
The woman hooked her fingers into her belt loop, smiling at Kenth as though she had just given him a weather report rather than such a wild decision. "A hug or a kiss. I'm not repeating myself again." Alex was quite pleased with herself, and was more than curious to what Kenth's reaction would be, knowing his dislike of touch. Sure, she might feel bad about cornering him later on, but right now, after all that had passed...well, quite frankly, he was lucky she wasn't demanding more than a mere hug or kiss.
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:02 pm
Kenth blinked, trying to register the information. Was she actually serious?
"do you...like me?"
It was a word that he'd blurted out without passing through his head. But that was the only reason his mind could think of if Alex was actually serious about what she had said. That, or she could be just joking around, which in that case his reply would be a joke reply, even so he wasn't sure he looked like the joking type. But Alex didn't look like one either...there would be other...less likely reasons, but Kenth would rather not think of them, or rather, he had not the time to think about them before the words escaped his mouth, so fast, way past his comprehension.
So as a correction, he quickly added, "I mean, is that your Italian way of saying thank you?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:13 pm
Alex blinked her green eyes languidly, apparently as surprised by the question as he was. She tilted her head, regarding him thoughtfully as he quickly tried to smooth it over. "Yes," she replied, although to which question, she'd leave for him to guess. "Mm. You didn't give me a straight answer. Lucky you."
The woman sauntered over to Kenth, smiling in a way that was partly wicked and partly adoring. There was an immense amount of butterflies in her stomach, but she welcomed the flighty and warm feeling. Deft hands reached out to start unbuttoning his jacket, slipping the few buttons out of their slots. Alex slid her hands underneath his jacket, stepping against him while her arms moved around to his upper back, still mindful that he was hurt just weeks before.
Resting her head against his shoulder and neck, she held him tightly enough that he wouldn't be able to get away very easily. "There, is that so bad?" she sighed, her soft voice giving away that she was very much enjoying his closeness.
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Kenth jerked as a reflect backwards as Alex came at him. He felt her hands on her back, and his hand swung up instantly to grab hers to get them away.
"I did not give you an answer, Alex." Kenth replyed sternly. "That's not the same as a straight answer." Having the feeling that her arms would probably not budge, he sighed and continued. "you are hurting my back, let go. And I will answer your question once you answer mine."
Kenth paused, wondering if he should go on playing along.
"Both of them."
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:26 pm
"I answered yours," she murmured indignantly, feeling warm as though she could sleep where she stood. However, at his insistance that she was hurting him, she pulled her arms away from his back, opting to rest them on his sides instead. Doing one better, her hands curled around his hips; now that was something he'd really have to fight to get out of. Alex lifted her head to look at Kenth, mere inches away, jutting her bottom lip out a little in a pout. "You're being awfully stingy about words. No answer is the same in my book."
She did not move from her given distance. Of course, using any amount of strength to keep him pinned had hurt her as well, although she would not admit it. If only he'd just allow her a simple show of affection! Then again, if he did, he probably wouldn't be the man that she was so enamoured with.
Alex looked at him for a moment longer before speaking. "You're a brilliant man, Doctor Kenth, but apparently a little shy in the face of something a textbook can't answer." That strange smile came back, a warm and gentle expression that was meant only for him. "Yes, I like you, Doctor." A pause, and then, "Most of us do kiss on the cheek as a thanks. If I need to spell it out for you, that was not my area of intent."
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:35 pm
"Would making me uncomfortable also be a way of saying thank you?" Kenth frowned, feeling the hands creeping down from his back to the side, then down further.
He looked down for a while, then nodded slightly. "if that's the way you show your thanks, then I shall respect that, Alex."
Just out of politeness right? Kenth thought. The word "like" had multi-meanings, but he knew what the woman was talking about...so he thought. So this overly enthusiastic woman would come in, use her way to thank him, and then leave to work in other places of the school, taking care of the students better than he could ever do....Kenth wondered where Alex was assigned, but that was of no important matter for now.
"I shall accept one, out of the two, whichever you prefer."
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