• ****(Dreaming)
    I have no leg to stand on.
    The thought that probably ran through two minds at the same time. It has been three hours since I dropped her home... she... was still attached to Reish, if by obligation, she explained that to me. I think... No, I know, that she is remembering things with little or no side effects. But... what does the future hold? I... did give her my e-mail and... my mobile number. I had a plan. It involved talking to Reish, but that’s alright. I mean, I held a job at the same hospital he was training in, and he was due to be allocated to a specialist tomorrow. I smiled. Yes, I can swing things. Actually, this is better than I hoped for... Besides, she needs to see what that b*****d Reish has been up to... Currently, I was sitting on a chair, watching the soft breathing of her sleep. Mi-chan... is so serene in her sleep. I noted that now, she is very similar to her ETHAwared, logged in form, just that her hair was only to her waist, her eyelashes weren’t as long... and the tattoos stood out. I wanted to touch her, to hold her close again. I stood up, silently and knelt down by the bed. She rolled over, still asleep, to face me. I kissed her forehead gently... in her sleep, she sighed...
    “Ri-chan...”
    ***(Caught)
    “ALEX!” Uh-oh. I had tried to enter quietly...
    “Er... Hey, Kat.” She stormed in, Raphael behind her.
    “And where have you been?”
    “I went to see Raphael at-”
    “Liar.”
    “No... he did go to the bar...” She glanced some baaad look at him, then turned back to me.
    “Yeah, but where else? Raphael was home a while back...”
    “A little clubbing.” I sighed. “Aren’t I allowed to go out clubbing, then? I was hoping to meet some beautiful person and have a night of passion...” Kat sighed.
    “Alright, alright. I get the point.” Raphael smirked.
    “Male or female?” Kat elbowed him. He looked at her. “It’s a valid question.” I giggled.
    “I wouldn’t have minded either way...” Kat looked pale.
    “Right. Enough of this. Night night.” She wandered out of the room and off to bed. It was a while before we heard the door to her room close. Me and Raphael migrated to the kitchen, where I sat down and he began mixing cocktails. The kitchen looked like he’d been doing this before I came in...
    “You didn’t?”
    “I didn’t what?”
    “Did you have a night of passion?” He was throwing ingredients together into a glass.
    “No. We... kissed, yes. Talked, yes. Nothing more.”
    “So... where were you?” Mixing more stuff in the glass...
    “I sat and watched her sleeping after I dropped her home.”
    “And?” Raphael raised his eyebrows. “No rape?” I flushed.
    “I’m not you, Raphael.” He chuckled, adding the ice.
    “But... something happened.”
    “...She muttered something in her sleep.” He raised one eybrow.
    “Do explain, Alex.”
    “She said ‘Ri-chan’.” He furrowed his brows as he shook the cocktail shaker.
    “Subtitles, please.”
    “...She used to call me that, back in the good old days.”
    “Hmm...” He finished shaking the cocktail, and poured it out into two glasses. He passed one to me, and kept the other for himself. “Then, what do you think of it? Where does this leave you?”
    “Caught.” Kat had just walked in. I grabbed the vodka and tipped more into my drink.
    ***(Butterflies)
    “Ri-chan...”
    The name that chases through my dreams. I know I’ve seen the Black Rose before. With that name tag. But it feels like there’s a veil between me and what I was before the accident.
    “It’s okay, Mi-chan!” That’s familiar, too. Not my voice, but a voice I knew. Whispered words of love and feelings that overflow... That warm feeling that I want so badly. It’s not the same from Matthew Reish, not comparable. And these colours... it feels like I’ve had a hole cut out of my chest that’s been badly patched over – or, decently patched up and then someone tried to open it again. I opened my eyes to a glorious sunny field. [Yep, dreaming...]
    “Mi-chan...” A shadowy figure stood a distance from me. She [I think it’s a she.] smiled, her long hair billowing in a wind I couldn’t feel. “...you need to awaken yourself.”
    “But I... it was... I can’t.” I know what she means, but... I don’t.
    “You will. Your wings will open wide, and your heart will soar!” She stretched her arms out. Billions of butterflies with eight wings each flew up from the grass... “You deserve it, Mi-chan. You deserve a happy ending!”
    ***(Obscurities)
    Matt was late. I suppose it wasn’t easy to skive off work... I was sitting, thinking of what I was going to tell him, if at all. I know... it was a bad thought – to have my cake and eat it – but... it seemed so feasible, and... Somehow, I felt used to it, already. I leaped up when the phone rang.
    “Hello... Can I speak to-” A quiet, but recognisable voice.
    “Matt! How are you?”
    “Shh, shh. He’ll hear me...”
    “Where are you?”
    “An obscure supplies closet. Oh, god... I’m so sorry...”
    “Why? What happened?”
    “I got assigned to a really, really harsh doctor... he’s a real slave-driver...”
    “And you couldn’t skive.”
    “Yeah... I’m sorry. It’s like he has me bugged or something...”
    “Hey, that’s alright...”
    “Ah, man... he’s so feminine looking! I swear, he’s female! Well, I know he’s not... and he’s only a year older than me! But... still...”
    “But what?”
    “He seems to have something against me! Oh!” I could hear a door open behind him, and a voice...
    “Skiving again, Dr. Reish?”
    “It’s my lunchtime, sir...”
    “You have a patient CODING. Go!” There was a slight fumbling sound. “I’ll take that.” A snatching sound. “Reish. Go! Go-go-GO!” I heard footsteps away. The voice seemed... oddly memorable. “Hello?”
    “Ragi, that was a little harsh.” I heard the sound of laughing as he shut the door.
    “Well, yeah. I just can’t have a doctor skiving off when he’s got Clinic Duty... I’m sorry. Besides... haven’t you got work tomorrow? You can come see him at lunch.” I giggled.
    “Are you sure you aren’t going to keep him imprisoned then?”
    “I might.” There was a pause. He giggled after a while. “Of course not... but don’t give me ideas, okay?”
    “I won’t, no worries. Unless you plan to film your hot sex with him...” He laughed out loud.
    “Pur-lease... I’ve heard that one before. Nice try, though.”
    “Wasn’t it just?” I heard his slight laugher – I think he was trying hard to stifle them. Eventually, he stopped.
    “Did you tell him anything?”
    “No. Didn’t get chance before it sounded like he was assaulted...” He chuckled.
    “Well, just don’t call him-”
    “He called me, Ragi. Funny enough, he was calling so that he could explain about this slave-driver who didn’t let him have lunch nor skive off to celebrate with me...” He chuckled again.
    “Right. Sorry, Mirari, for ruining your plans. Have a good day...”
    “Hmmf. Later, Ragi.” We both hung up at the same time. I received a text a few seconds later. ‘Hehehe. Never mind, Mirari. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow, too? ^^; Ragi’ I texted back: ‘Maybe.’
    ***(Work)
    I never thought the drive to my new job would be so... nerve-wrecking. I was over an hour early... The letter said nine, but it was now 7:35. I noted that the hospital was actually right next to the lab... so... I thought I’d stop in the hospital cafe for some food. It was so quiet. I was sitting in the cafe eating toast when someone sat down at my table. His long hair was plaited, and he rested it over his shoulder. The name badge said “Dr. A. Caragiri”. I suppose Ragi is a nickname he uses. Somehow, I’m alright with this, oddly enough.
    “Good morning, Mirari.”
    “Morning, Ragi.”
    “Work not yet?” I shook my head, glancing at my watch.
    “Ah, I have over an hour left. So, I came in for some breakfast.” He chuckled.
    “Good idea. Labwork takes it out of you.”
    “So... where’s Matt... I mean, Doctor Reish?”
    “Hmm? He doesn’t come on duty for another three hours yet. Relax, he’ll still be sleeping.”
    “So... why are you in?”
    “My patient’s a little restless, since she’s also a doctor.”
    “I suppose that when you treat other people, it’s harder to be treated yourself... because you’d do things differently yourself.” He giggled.
    “So true, Mirari.” He smiled warmly. “You always speak the truth...” There was then a large, but oddly quiet commotion down the corridor. We both turned heads when ‘Reish’ was mentioned. Ragi stood up, to see what was going on. He had a firm, almost angry look on his face. “Stay here, Mirari.” I shook my head.
    “No. If something’s happened to Matt, then...” He put his hands on my shoulders, giving me a gently concerned look.
    “If you’re sure...” I nodded, and we headed down the corridor. Something was going on in a cupboard. There was a hushed whispering as Ragi and I approached the slightly ajar door of the cupboard... I was peering in... there was a lot of nudity, and movement... Ragi put his hands over my eyes. I didn’t really want to know what was happening... I suppose Ragi was right to ask me to stay. Did he know about this? I could hear the muffled noises of the activity in the cupboard, and the quiet gasps of the crowd around me. I pried Ragi’s fingers from my face to look upon the action. It was definitely Matt and... some nurse, procreating passionately. I don’t think they noticed the crowd. I felt a little faint – Ragi held my shoulders to keep me steady. He then pushed my head into his chest, rubbing my back. I couldn’t help but grip his shirt as tears began to fall. There was a whisper behind me.
    “What’s the matter with the lass, Doctor?”
    “That junior doctor procreating with that nurse is her boyfriend.”
    “Ah... did she know he was doing this regularly?” I gripped Ragi’s shirt a little tighter, and he put his arm around me, still rubbing. “I take it... not.”
    “Here, take her, nurse. I think she’ll pass out... and I think a good hug will help her feel better.” I was passed to the nurse, who held my head into her chest. She tried to calm me down...
    “A beautiful lass like you doesn’t deserve someone who regularly cheats... Hey, it’s okay... I’m sure you can find someone else... Doctor... what are you going to do?”
    “This.” Ragi took a deep breath, and then shouted. “Doc-Tor REISH!” Everyone gasped as I heard the door being flung open. Including the pair in the cupboard. “Reish... what would your girlfriend say to this?”
    “She’s not here... What she doesn’t know...” I gripped the fabric of the nurse’s outfit hard, biting my tongue... I didn’t want to say anything... but it didn’t work.
    “Matt... how could you?”
    “Oh shie-”
    “Nurse. Get her cleaned up... She has work soon.”
    “Ah... okay.” The nurse paused. “Doctor, don’t do anything stupid.”
    “I won’t. Just get the poor thing cleaned up...”
    ***(Break)
    “...And make sure she gets to work... it is supposed to be her first day, today.”
    Mi-chan was taken away by a nurse... She was sobbing into the nurse’s chest. Poor thing... Reish had been cheating on her for a while, now. Even when he was still in Med School, he was having the odd quickie with a nurse in a cupboard... well, I say odd, but that’s only because he’d miss the odd day. Other doctors weren’t too aware, but... I just couldn’t tolerate it. Hence the harsh working conditions... I suppose she’ll break up with him, now she knows the truth. I hope she does, anyway... Meanwhile, Reish was hurriedly trying to put his clothes on.
    “Doctor Reish... I wouldn’t talk to her now she knows the truth.”
    “Dr. Caragiri, this is none of your business!”
    “It is my business when you’re liaising with a fellow staff member...”
    “I’m not on duty! Why should I-”
    “A doctor, especially one on call... like you... should not be too busy to care for patients, Reish.” I rolled my eyes. “You also knew your girlfriend was on the way for work, today. You should’ve known her well enough to know that she’d come early.” I chuckled. “So, I figure that this was all planned, eh?”
    “What the [********] are you on?”
    “Earth. Unlike a certain junior doctor, who’s just lost... a beautiful, smart, wise girlfriend because he couldn’t keep his phallus under control?” I shrugged. “Well, it’s your choice.” And I turned away.
    “What do you mean?”
    “The planned part? ...Did you mean to get away with your affairs by saying you have a girl? Or... wasn’t she good enough for you? Hmmf. Reish, I don’t care. You’ve just made a wise young woman with amazing potential cry.” I walked away. I ignored his pleadings to keep quiet. I ignored him in general, because I really could’ve done some harm otherwise... I looked at a clock. 8.25. Poor thing. Mi-chan always gets the bad end of things. I hurried to where I thought the Nurse would take her – the toilets. I could hear her sobbing slowing down, and a conversation between her and the nurse... explaining her back story with Reish, how long they’ve been together... their plans... ack. This sort of stuff makes me cringe. No, not the plans themselves, but... who they were with... I decided - to my better judgement - that I shouldn’t go into the Ladies toilets. I returned to the cafe, picking up Mi-chan’s things. When I was by the toilets again, I flagged a passing nurse. “Hey... Nurse, can you take these to the young woman in the toilets at the moment?” I laughed uneasily. “Hehe I don’t think I should go in there... Bad for my image.” The nurse laughed.
    “Certainly, Dr. Caragiri. Besides... everyone knows you wouldn’t do anything untoward.”
    “Aw, thanks. Anyway, can you also tell the young lady that I’ll see her later? Y’know, it’s rare that I catch up with anyone from college...”
    “Will do, Doctor. Oh! Your usual patient’s just arrived.” I smiled warmly. The nurse flushed. Some thought running her head of two men... hahaha. I get that a lot, especially with Raphael’s checkups.
    “Right. I’ll go see him, then.” I walked off, to my office. I already knew Raphael would be there. He’s been there enough times already. I’ll just have to go see Sinistra a little later, that’s all.
    ***(Job)
    Another Nurse came into the toilets, holding my bags and stuff.
    “Oh, my things! Thank you...”
    “That’s alright. Dr. Caragiri went and got them. He said he’ll see you later.”
    “Ah, thank you.” The first nurse smiled at me.
    “Are... How do you know Dr. Caragiri?”
    “Oh, he used to attend my college.” I laughed a little. It’s not true, but I bet that’s what he said. “We used to talk a little bit before he left for University. It’s nice to meet up with him again.” Both nurses smiled. Hmm, it seems as if Dr. Caragiri is hot stuff around here. “He’s always been a good friend.”
    “No... romantic stuff?” I shook my head.
    “No, not in college. I was taken, then.” I sighed.
    “You mean Dr. Reish.” I nodded.
    “Well, I suppose I’m single now...” The nurses nodded.
    “You didn’t know about Dr. Reish’s little...” I shook my head.
    “Not a thing.” I looked at my watch. 8.45. “I... suppose I’d better get to work.”
    “Where do you work?”
    “I work next door... well... it’s supposed to be my first day...” They nodded their heads in understanding.
    “Are you sure you’re up to it?” I nodded.
    “Yes, I’ll be fine, thank you.” I smiled warmly. “Thank you so much.”
    “Okay, take care.”
    “Yes, good luck for your first day!” I took my things and began to walk out of the toilets.
    “Thank you.” As I exited the toilets, I could hear them gossiping. Something about Dr. Caragiri and me... hmm, he is hot stuff... And speculation of him and a ‘Raphael’. I laughed internally as I made my way to work. Thankfully, it was only next door. Seriously – the hospital and the research lab share labs and equipment! Something about costs... but the research labs hold the big stuff. I made it to the reception in good time, and signed in. Hehe It was 8.55, and I had just sat down in the lobby, admiring the artwork and fishtanks. There were so many varieties of tropical fish swimming around – I wouldn’t have been surprised if I had seen a shark or a coelacanth. The latter being more interesting... I wasn’t waiting long. Jessica Jones came down in a lift, and she smiled once she saw me in the lobby. I smiled, and stood up to meet her.
    “Good Morning, M’am.”
    “Good Morning. Please, call me Jessica. What can I call you?”
    “Errm... Mirari, if that’s alright, Jessica.” She smiled.
    “No, that’s alright, Mirari.” She gestured towards the lift. “Shall be begin the tour?” And so... we began the tour. Starting with my small personal lab, continuing to the larger demonstration labs, and then onto the large expensive equipment. It seemed clean, and sparsely staffed. It had a friendly atmosphere, though. After the lab tour, she began to show me around the office section, and the extensive research library. There was... a lot of building here. At around one o’clock, she showed me where the canteen was. There was a lot of variety, I saw. I was surprised to find out that the food was free to researchers like us, and so, she showed me what the bracelet was for. We picked out the food, and when we reached the till, she ran her bracelet over it. The price dropped to zero, and she gestured for me to do the same. I did, and I smiled. Jessica giggled, and she guided me to a little table in a corner. I sat down and began eating, if a little nervously. She smiled, wolfing her food down. “Relax. Here, at Harken Labs, we are more... relaxed than at other research labs. And better funded, I might add. It’s because we’re currently working on nanotechnology with biological elements. Very wide use possibilities.” I nodded.
    “Yes... imagine the benefits to Medicine if we can use this technology... neurological diseases can be cured... people could live for a lot longer...”
    “Yes, yes. You share our ideals. Now...” She paused to take a sip of her drink. “...down to work details.” I gulped, a little bit. She seemed not to notice. “Hmm. This afternoon, we’ll sort out your housing. Then, I’ll leave you to it. Your actual work will begin Monday.” I raised my eyebrows in surprise. She giggled. “Well, you need time to move your things in. I figure that Friday and the weekend is enough time?” I nodded.
    “Yes... Yes, that’ll be plenty of time... Thank you.” She giggled as she finished her drink.
    “No problem...” We finished our meals fairly quickly, and got down to housing. I was very surprised when it turned out that it wasn’t a flat at all – no, it was more of a house – and a large house, at that. It seemed as if I had a partly furnished house near the labs – most of the Lab’s staff lived in the same estate, as did some of the doctors. There was even a pub nearby. After showing me the house, we parted ways, Jessica wishing me a good weekend.
    “Ok, I’ll see you Monday, then...” I made note of the address, and the phone number. I was going to pick up the phone and call Matt, but... After today, I don’t want to see or speak to him. I rang my parents, instead. My Mum screamed with joy. I had to explain that my house was partly furnished – just a bed, a sofa and the kitchen stuff. Oh, and a few lampshades. The bed sheets were already on the bed, I noted. I told them I was on the way home now... take the stuff tomorrow. So, I locked up and drove home, excited about my new job. However, there was a little voice in the back of my head that was saying things weren’t all they seemed... I tried hard to quieten the voice, but it just kept getting louder...
    ***(Review)
    I had a busy day. Raphael’s usual check-up – just checking his joints – to see if there was any more damage to his wrists and fingers. He had problems with hairline cracks in his fingers that kept re-cracking. His monthly check-up over, I went to see Sinistra... Samantha Palmsmith. She had a feminine problem... and she was getting grumpy due to a lack of hormones. That sorted, I went on to clinic duty. All day, all I could think of was Reish’s morning activity. He was being wise, and keeping his distance. He’d just ask me if it was desperate. Good. I decided to go see the Hospital’s head. Dextera always had a firm hand, but a kind heart (if you found it). He was thinking of suspending Reish, which I agreed with. He had broken the staff code on several occasions... After filtering through the paperwork, I made my way home. Well...
    “Alex!” I was suddenly pulled sideways by pale hands. Into a broom closet, I should add.
    “Raphael? What the fu-” WTF? All I could feel were hard lips against mine.
    “Trust me, Alex. You’ll need this one.” He pulled my head so he could whisper in my ear. “Reish is on the warpath...”
    “So?”
    “He’s accusing you of stealing his girlfriend. I’m making sure he won’t.”
    “I can deal with him.”
    “Not when he has a poisoned scalpel.” Raphael then proceeded to kiss my cheek. “Play along, Alex. Reish will burst into our closet soon...”
    “I am not-” Too late. He was kissing me, with a hand on my face and one arm around my waist. He tasted odd... And then he began to remove my clothing... and his. I did try to stop him... but he wasn’t having any of that. Damn it! He even used my telekinesis against me! We were nude and on the floor. I was bright crimson, and even Raphael was flushed... It was then that Reish burst in, cussing. He gasped, dropping something, and left again. Raphael let go of me. I was trying to breathe. Ack... We both stood up.
    “Bloody hell. No wonder you need powers to pull... ******** me...”
    “Don’t tempt me like that, Alex... Don’t tempt me.”
    “Who decided to try that?”He ignored me, bending down to pick the scalpel after putting gloves on.
    “Cyanide, strychnine and Arsenic. Typical.”
    “He really was out to kill me...” Raphael pulled a plastic bag out from the pocket of his trousers, putting the scalpel inside. I was hurriedly putting on my clothing again.
    “Take this to the head of the hospital.”
    “Now?” Raphael nodded, pulling on his t-shirt.
    “I’m coming with you. I am a witness, after all.” Ugh. Another hour passed, and not only was Reish being suspended for a while... he was facing criminal charges. Attempted murder – there were swabs to quickly test for these poisons in the hospital. Dextera didn’t question anything... Hmm, did he know this was going to happen? His powers... I exited the hospital with Raphael, my witness...
    “So... what was that comment for?”
    “Oh, the pulling thing?” He nodded grimly.
    “You don’t taste good.” He chuckled.
    “I suppose I don’t taste as good as Mirari-chama, do I?” I shook my head.
    “Not even close.” We walked back to the house. Kat was out for the evening, thankfully. I went into the kitchen, meaning to put the kettle on. Raphael, however, started mixing drinks.
    “Talk, kiddo.”
    “What about?”
    “You’ve been tempted, haven’t you?”
    “...ah.” I shook my head, taking a deep breath. “Raphael... I don’t think they’ll be any side effects...”
    “Why? You just can’t tell...” I slammed my fist into the work surface.
    “No, Raphael.” I sat down. “If there were going to be any side effects, today would’ve done it.”
    “Oh?” He chuckled. “You’ll have to explain your logic.”
    “Simple. After the kiss last night, she didn’t show any signs. That’s why I went to watch her... I had to make sure.”
    “So? She whispered your nickname in her sleep. Big deal.”
    “No, she was sleeping.” He raised his eyebrows.
    “Good point.”
    “And today... I held her close when she was sobbing. She didn’t suffer because of me... it was because of Reish. She wasn’t showing any signs of trauma. She was coherent, showed no signs of anger...”
    “But what if it was delayed?” I shook my head.
    “Nope. I know her too well.” I smirked. “Besides, if the time before had any effect...”
    “If you’re sure...”
    “Raphael... I’ve kissed her, I’ve held her close, I’ve gripped her... all in ways that should’ve triggered something. Believe me, I know her too well. I can give her an analysis just by talking to her.” I smirked. “Trust me, I’m a doctor.”
    “Arrogant fool!” There was a pause.
    “It’s true... Surprisingly enough, I love her. Love involves thorough knowledge.” He sighed.
    “I can see that.” He chuckled. “Then I give you my blessing.”
    “Thank you.” I felt... happier, knowing that Raphael was with me on this one. Even though we were once rivals for the same girl...
    “Alex... I know it’s not going to be easy, but... I think you’ll be fine.” He smirked. “Especially now Reish thinks you’re gay.” I rolled my eyes.
    “Everyone already thinks we are.” He sighed.
    “Hot man sex is so my thing, clearly.” I nodded.
    “We should’ve had a picture, just to shock Kat with.” He nodded.
    “And Mirari-chama.” I shook my head.
    “No, she’d be oddly delighted with a picture like that.”
    “Really?” And he produced a camera, and flicked it on. “Well...”
    “That explains the camera.”