Topic: An Offer For Coffee

TheDarkMuse

Date: 2009-12-21 21:55 EST
Kel moved through her rounds at Riverview in a daze, checking on patients who required her special diagnostic skills. A part of her cringed away from her work, terrified of what might happen if she was incapable of keeping control.

She had no memory of her magic duel with Neo the night before. What she did have, was bruises on her throat from Sivanna, which were enough to frighten her.

She stopped outside the break room, but did not go in. She watched, unwilling to join in the laughter and cutting up that other employees engaged in. At least not today. She sipped a bottle of water, trying to keep her hands from shaking.

The loudspeaker crackled faintly, and the charming voice of Anya's assistant, Xenia, echoed faintly through the hospital. "Kelathe, please report to Dr. Valkonan's office." The message made her heart sink even further.

It would have been easy to simply walk straight there through the walls, but Kelathe decided to take the long route. She tried, desperately, not to let her step be trudging, even offering smiles to those patients and co-workers she passed in the halls.

She walked past the receptionist's desk, giving the woman a smile, and headed for Xenia's office. She opened the doors quietly, and stepped inside. The woman was busy at her computer console, working hard. Kel cleared her throat, and Xenia looked up. "Go on in. She's waiting for you."

Kel nodded, and headed toward the next set of doors. Before she entered, she ran her hand over the thick wood, trying to collect herself. Her main fear was that Anya would fire her, would make her leave the hospital, where she had finally found a bit of purpose in her new life.

A moment later, she squared her shoulders, and stepped into Anya's office. The Doctor was tucked into her comfortable desk chair, wearing pale green scrubs with a white lab coat over them. Her dark blonde hair was pulled back in a single braid. Her rings glittered on her fingers as she sorted through files on her desk. Anya looked up, and smiled in Kel's direction. "Have a seat." She gestured to one of the chairs on the other side of her desk.

Kel took a seat, on the edge, hands folded her lap. She studied her hands, but since her hair was back in a long braid, her curls couldn't hide the concern on her face.

Anya swiveled in her ergonomically designed chair, and filled two large mugs from the coffee maker set to one side of her cherrywood desk. One was set before Kelathe, and the other remained in front of her for the moment. Coffee at the hospital was a little different, providing a little extra kick of caffeine, and Kel was grateful for it. She wrapped long, white fingers around the mug, and took a sip.

"Do you know why I asked you here, Kelathe?" Anya questioned, as she removed the glasses she used for reading.

"I imagine, Dr. Valkonan, that is has something to do with the incident in the Annex last night," Kel said softly, taking another sip of her coffee, trying hard to steady her hands.

"You are right, it does. But probably not for those reasons you are having so much trouble trying not to think." Anya smiled at Kel's surprised look. "I know things haven't been easy since you gained control over the evil inside you. I just wanted to tell you that if you ever needed to talk, you can come to me."

Kelathe set back a little in her chair, and studied the woman across from her. "What about Sivanna" Isn't she your friend?"

Anya spoke softly. "Da, she is. But, just because she hasn't seen the good in you yet, doesn't mean that I have to ignore what I have seen. You are a good person in your heart, despite the creature that you have trapped in your mind."

Kel remained speechless, simply nodding.

"Now, if you don't mind, I'd like it if you stopped by Mr. Fenner's room and see if you can't be of some help there."

Kel finished her coffee and stood, quietly turning toward the door.

"And Kel?"

She turned back to look at Anya.

"Smile. It lights up your whole face when you mean it." Anya smiled at the woman.

The answering smile from the albino was nothing short of beautiful.

Special Thanks to Anya and Sivanna!