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Автор: Anastasia

Another uneasy thought was Peter. We’ve been good friends during the last years and I was sure he was sick with worry as I didn’t return to O.S.I.R. and he couldn’t reach me at home. Poor Pete, he had already lost one of his dear friends and now it was I, escaping, uncertain about tomorrow. I could call him of course but I was afraid that he could be bugged and that meant a danger for him and for me. I laughed out loud: now I was getting paranoid, I made a lot of fuss out of nothing but I couldn’t help it now. I wasn’t even sure of Gerard, he seemed a bit suspicious to me but I didn’t have anyone else to help me and besides I was grateful to Gerard for his concern, which seemed genuine to me. Only few months ago I could have said I knew people, I could judge them by their deeds and by their ways; I could guess their thoughts. But now I knew that I was wrong, I didn’t even know what was going on inside of me, how could I guess what was someone else after?

The water grew cold while I was thinking and I started to feel cold. Besides my tiredness took over me and I was both relieved and happy as I fell into a deep, heavy sleep.

The shrilling phone woke me up. Without even opening my eyes, I reached for the phone, which should be standing on my bed table. As my hand found nothing and the sound didn’t cease, I opened my eyes and lay still for a minute, surprised to be in a strange room. And only as I saw the bright moonlight coming from the window I remembered everything that happened yesterday. I quickly got out of my bed and went in search of my handbag. Finally I found the cellular phone, wondering who on Earth would call at three o’clock in the morning: "Donner."

"Lin, I’m so glad to hear your voice," it was Peter.

"Where are you calling from?" I immediately asked, interrupting him. "From the lab, I…"

"Please call me from a phone cell," I pressed the "off" button before he could continue. I knew Axon very well and I was sure he’d be calling me in a minute, cursing but doing exactly what he has been told to do. I was right actually because in three minutes my phone started Beethoven all over again. I wondered if I should change the tone while I grasped the phone.

"Lindsay, what’s on? Do you know how the dear Mr. Praeger looked at me as I exited the mobile lab?" Peter sounded infuriated but I knew he was cross because he sensed something was wrong.

"Pete, I’m really sorry but I had to do it for your own sake," in few sentences I told my friend about my escape to Rome and about what I thought Elsinger planned.

"Oh, my God," that was all Peter could manage.

"Yeah, looks rather gloomy. Listen, Pete, I don’t want you to worry, I can stand it, I honestly can and you should be cautious, you’ll be Elsinger’s scapegoat as soon as he finds out I fled abroad. Please promise me you won’t act like a hero!" perhaps there was something in my voice that made Peter listen.

"Ok, I’ll try to be an obedient student," he laughed but his laughter was sad. "I’ll see you again, won’t I?" there was now concern in his voice he tried to hide.

"Yes, I’ll make sure it happens," I hoped he believed me because even I wasn’t sure about the next day myself. I didn’t go to bed after my talk with Peter. It made no use cause I couldn’t fell asleep. I wasn’t tired after a long sleep and the only thing I wish was the dawn to break and for this endless night to stop. It would be the sixteenth of December tomorrow, not even a month passed since Connor’s death so I guessed my grief was only natural. Or so would Anton say. I parted with the team only yesterday and still I already missed them. They were the only family I had. Since I went away from my parents as I considered myself guilty of my dad’s failure, I wished to belong. It has been my greatest wish since I was born. I always wanted to be a part of a big family, to have brothers and sisters but I was an only child and as all children of geniuses I was mostly lonely. As I grew older my only wish was to be swept off my feet by a perfect man to whom I could belong, with whom I could ground a family. This perfect man was Connor.

I didn’t know how long I spent sitting like this, my face buried in my hands, shadows of past dancing across the room. It must have been a long time cause as I looked up; I saw that the sky began to grow pink. I looked at the watch at the table: it was seven o’clock. Just the right time to stand up and to start getting ready for my meeting with Gerard. I went to take a shower but as soon as I was ready, I heard a knocking at my door. I wondered who it could be but the knocking didn’t cease. I quickly put on one of the bathrobes hanging in the bathroom and hurried along the room to open the door. As soon as I opened it I understood it was a mistake for I found myself looking into Harold’s face. He was laughing and there was a big bunch of roses in his hand. "Good morning, Lindsay, you look simply charming like this, I hope I didn’t wake you up," his smile became brighter as he saw I was at a loss for words. But then it wasn’t so easy to confuse me.

"Thank you very much for the beautiful flowers, I am sure that is why you didn’t give them at the reception, they are far too precious. Thank you," I took the flowers and closed the door in front of him. It all happened quickly but still I noticed his was dumbfounded. I smiled to myself as I was drying my hair and getting dressed. Harold was a clever man but he wasn’t clever enough to beat me. I sighed as I remembered all the tears I cried as men hurt me. I studied my attraction in the mirror: was I really beautiful? Reddish hair shot with blond and dark streaks, depending on the season, big gray eyes. "Soft" that is how everyone called them, "bursting with hidden laughter." Not any more, I thought bitterly, not any more. The sadness darkened them, all the lights died. Connor what have you done? I felt as if I were dead.

Finally I found strength to put an end to the musings and exited the room, taking my bag with me. As I went down the stairs to the restaurant, I already saw Gerard standing up to meet me. His face lit up and for a moment I thought what it would be like to stay with him forever, to forget my pain and live happily ever after.

Gerard was already at the foot of the stairs, he smiled and took my hand: "I’m very glad to see you, did you sleep well?"

I was in no mood of telling him about Pete’s call, it was my private matter: "Certainly, I like this place. But don’t you think Mr. Smith is a bit too nosy?" Gerard raised his brow in a silent question.

"Well," I explained," just as I was going to get dressed, he showed up in front of my door with a big bunch of flowers and had the very intention to enter the suite."

I waited for Gerard’s reaction and it came: "What does he take you for? I’ll make sure it won’t happen again."

"It’s all right, I just thought it would be nice if you held him at bay, I don’t especially like him."

We sat down and for a while none of us said anything. As the breakfast was almost over, I suddenly remembered: "Oh, Gerard, I wanted to ask you a favor."

"I’ll do whatever you like," his dark eyes were friendly.

"You know, I want to do some shopping but I’m reluctant to use my cards, it’s a bit dangerous, I’m afraid the man who wanted to kill me will try to do it once more and I don’t want that he’ll be able to spy me with the help of the cards. Could you help?" I bent over the table to take a closer look at his expressive face.

"You are a clever little girl," he said and I could hear admiration in his voice, "I wouldn’t even think about such a thing. Let’s simply go and make some new cards, I’ve got a friend who can help."

As we went out of the bank, new cards in my purse, a wave of gratitude swept over me: "Gerard, I owe you so much, you’re saving my life for the second time in the last 24 hours."

"You’ll have enough time to thank me," he smiled but there was something in his smile that made my heart sink. I wasn’t sure what I saw in his eyes, was it danger?

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