This story dedicated to Donna Allyson, who has taken the time to post my stories on her web page at geocities.com/donna-allyson. Thanks for your support, Donna.
Written by Kelly Davidson
Edited by Geoff
Copyright 2002
Fade in...
"She's here," Leo said in a respectful tone.
Crius grunted, and slowly rose from the chair in his tiny but comfortable study. His new accommodations, a single story house with two bedrooms, were smaller than what he was used to, but still better than what the Olympians had provided him with. He entered the living room, and waited for a woman in her early 60's to get out of the car. She walked slowly, with a limp, as she made her way up the entranceway. Leo ushered her inside, and the woman looked nervously around. She wore a long, green dress that hid her legs from the public. Crius had no doubt they were scared and ugly from the ravage of time.
"Dr. Jensen I presume," he said with a tight smile. Sarah Jensen didn't look the same as the last time they met. Instead of being middle aged, she was now a carbon copy of the much older Dr. Ramsey. The real Dr. Ramsey, who had been scheduled to start working in Andersonville that morning, had been killed, and the body disposed of.
The older lady nodded, and held out her hand. "I don't have much time. I have to be at the courthouse in thirty minutes."
"This won't take long," Crius replied in a formal manner. "Take a seat."
"Won't...won't my coming here cause some suspicion?"
Crius laughed. "My new 'brother' thinks I want to take an active role in getting his town back on its feet. I'll let Dennis believe what he wants. As for you my dear, we have much to talk about, but that will come later."
"This body," she motioned with her hands, "isn't what I had in mind."
"Dr. Ramsey wasn't an attractive women, I afraid." Crius frowned slightly at the woman's vanity. "However, beauty is not required to complete your mission. I spent a lot of our limited resources to get you here. Once you've completed your mission, I'll reward you handsomely. You'll be the desire of every man...and some women."
The doctor looked carefully at the older man, dressed in a long, thick robe with a hood that could be pulled over his head. She knew who he claimed to be, but there were still doubts to his story.
"Is everything ready?' she asked.
"Everything you need has been shipped to your office in secret. I also made sure the room is soundproof, so you'll have unrestricted privacy.
Dr. Jensen nodded. "Good, then I'll start right away. Once I'm done, how long will I have to wait before you can transform me?"
"That depends, of course," Crius confessed. "Without the orb we are weak, and it takes time to store the energy that will be needed. However, I give you my word that it won't be longer then a month. I'll make sure you're not only immortal, but also beautiful again. You'll be one of us, Dr. Jensen - with powers you can't imagine."
"Wonderful," she smiled. "The sooner I'm out of this 'old' bitches body, the better I'll feel. Dennis wouldn't allow me to proceed in my research with the regeneration serum."
Dr. Jensen thought back to her research at her home, before Tom McClain had shown up and ruined everything. There were scores to be settled with him, and especially Al Parker, who was now Steve Anderson. It had been Mr. Parker who was responsible for her death.
"I'm not Dennis Butz," Crius stated clearly. "I believe if you want good results, you have to be willing to reward people generously when they come through for you."
"Thank you for your trust in me, Crius. I should be going now."
"There is one more matter to discuss," Crius stopped her. "We've taken great pains to make sure no one will find out who you really are. However, just in case someone does, I've installed a backup plan. During your...transformation, a panic device was created in your brain. Don't use it 'unless' there's no hope of escape. To activate it, concentrate on the words, 'Jupiter, rescue me from my captors'. Thinking about the words won't work. You have to repeat them under your breath and really desire for it to occur. When you activate the device, I will use my powers to transport you away to safety."
"What happens then...if I have to use it?"
"We'll set you up someplace else," Crius explained. "I would prefer that we didn't, since Andersonville is a safe haven for us, and all the subjects you need are brought to you...unsuspecting of course."
"I understand." Dr. Jensen stood and held out her hand, which the Titan God took. "I won't let you down, Crius."
"I know you won't," he replied with a tight smile. The god walked her to the front door, then turned to sit down.
"Crius," Leo said meekly, so he wouldn't sound like he was questioning the older god's logic. The last person to do so had paid a very stiff price. Crius may be old, but he wasn't weak. "I don't understand why you brought her here. She isn't needed for our plan."
"True," Crius spoke while taking a drink of some apple juice. "However, it's always good to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. Imagine being able to turn the population of Peace River against their masters. The Olympians would be forced to kill their own people, while draining their resources in the process. Either way the people of Peace River will die, so why not make them die fighting for us."
"A clever plot, Crius, but if she fails?"
A tight, evil frown appeared on the god's face. "Then I pity her fate."
Fade out...
***
Voice of Judge Jasper: We are the Roman gods, who fell to the world long ago when your people were still learning how to crawl. We have guided you through the years, rewarded you for good deeds, and punished you when needed. With our leadership, we helped you defeat the Titans in a terrible but glorious war. Once your path was set, we went to sleep, waiting for the day you would reach for the stars and take us home. But the Titans interfered, and turned you away from your destiny. When we awoke, we found much work to do; so we established a base and called it Peace River.
The Titans, with our help, established their own base later on. It's a town where we can work together, a last ditch effort to avoid another war that may destroy the human race forever. Some would like to see the town and your people destroyed, others would like to see it work - to have peace at last. There is much hatred between our people, and the road ahead won't be easy but the rewards if we do are great. The name of this last chance for peace is Andersonville.
***
Fade in...
Dr. Carol Green was busy preparing for her meeting with Dr. Ramsey. Since the trouble with the temps three weeks ago, all new transformations coming into the town had been put on hold. That was good news; the bad news was that many of the current residents had suffered as a result, and some wanted to leave. There had been eleven escape attempts in this week alone, leaving her a very busy doctor. A knock on the door caused her to look up. An older woman, dressed in a rather plain dress that went down to her ankles, stood in the doorway.
"Dr. Ramsey?" Carol asked.
"Yes," the woman nodded. "And you must be Dr. Green. I was told to report to you."
Dr. Green laughed. "Let's not be so formal here, Dr. Ramsey. I'm not your boss. You can call me Carol."
"Fine," she responded in a neutral tone. "I prefer you call me...Dr. Ramsey. I've worked long and hard for that title, Carol. It's a matter of respect."
"Okay," Dr. Green replied. "Come in and have a seat. Would you like some coffee?"
"No thank you," she answered formally, taking a seat in one of the chairs close by. "I've been brought up to speed on what happened here. I imagine your office has been flooded with people coming in suffering emotional problems."
"Yes, at least for the first two weeks. I've had to cancel appointments with many of my regular patients because of it. What I'm doing now is bringing in each resident so I can talk with them - to make sure they're okay."
"A very big job," Dr. Ramsey pointed out.
"True," Carol agreed as she sat down next to the other doctor. "Some are reluctant to see me, while others tend to hold everything inside. I've put together a list of people I would like you to meet with this week. There shouldn't be any problems with them."
"Excuse me, Dr. Green, but I'm not a babysitter," the other woman snapped. "Don't hand off the easy cases to me because I'm new here. I was helping patients get better while you were still playing with your dolls in grade school. Now give me someone challenging; someone who you haven't had much luck with."
Carol held her temper in check. She didn't like being treated like a clueless little girl. Dr. Green had thought she was being considerate by not handing her co-worker difficult cases on her first day. Well, if Dr. Ramsey wanted someone challenging, she would provide her with one.
"Very well, Dr. Ramsey. There's one person I could use your help with. Let me get her file." Carol walked over to her desk and pulled out a thick folder. She handed it to the older woman, who snatched it from her hands. Dr. Ramsey opened it, and did a quick review of her first patient.
"A school teacher named, Helen Johnston. This should be an interesting case."
"It won't be easy," Dr. Green warned her. "I've tried my best to help her accept her new life here."
"Yes, I'm sure you have," Dr. Ramsey agreed smugly. "However, I have my own methods that may work better on her. I'll arrange to see her this afternoon."
"Today?" Dr. Green questioned. "Wouldn't you rather wait a day to get settled in?"
"Not necessary," she replied. There was a knock on the door, and a small, dark hair woman, who was maybe 21 or 22 years old, was standing in the doorway.
"Come in, Cathy," Dr. Green greeted her with a smile.
"Am I...early," the young woman asked, while looking carefully at the other doctor.
"No, you're fine, Cathy. This is Dr. Ramsey. She'll be helping out around here. Doctor, this is Cathy Potts."
"Hello...Dr. Ramsey," the woman said shyly.
"Good morning," Dr. Ramsey replied in a crisp tone.
"Doctor, would you like to stay?" Carol asked, then added, "If Cathy doesn't mind that is?"
Dr. Ramsey shook her head. "No, I need to get to my office and make a few phone calls. I'm sure we'll talk later, Dr. Green. Goodbye."
Carol followed the doctor out the door with her eyes. Dr. Green hated to make early judgments about someone, but she didn't like Dr. Ramsey. The older woman was a bitch.
"Dr. Green, are you okay?" Cathy asked.
"What?" Carol said. "Oh, yes, of course Cathy. Have a seat."
***
Dr. Sarah Jensen, AKA Dr. Ramsey, checked out her office carefully. Inside the closet she found the secret panel Crius had told her about, and all the stuff she would need to get started. Sitting back in her comfortable office chair, Sarah carefully read over Helen Johnston's file. Judging from the notes Dr. Green had written, Miss Johnston would make an excellent subject. Putting the file down, Dr. Jensen reached for the phone to set up an appointment.
***
I was busy editing a report that Judge Herns wanted, while at the same time secretly wishing I were somewhere else, someplace sunny and warm. Montana is known for it's cold, winter nights and high snowdrifts, and I had had enough of it. Although Andersonville was immune from the bad weather to some degree, we still got our fair share of cold and snow.
"Thinking about getting away?" Judge Herns stated, as if she had read my mind.
"How did you know?" I asked suspiciously. This caused her to laugh.
"I've seen that look before, Linda, on my own face. How's my report coming?"
"I'm almost done," I told her. "I need to correct a few things."
"Good," she smiled, then looked at me carefully. "Linda, how would you like to get out of here for a few days?"
"Well, that depends on where that someplace is," I told her.
She grinned. "How about New York City? There's a meeting I want to attend on human behavior.
"Human behavior?" I questioned. "Are you teaching the class?"
June laughed. "Believe it or not Linda, there are still a lot of things I don't know about concerning human behavior. Unlike the 'old goat', I like to keep abreast on the newest ideas and theories. The meeting will only last a day."
"But didn't you asked me if I wanted to get away for a few days?"
"I did," she smiled. "I thought we could do some shopping, go out to eat at some fancy restaurants, and see a Broadway play or two."
"Sort of like a mother and daughter trip," I told her.
"Yes, if you want to think of it that way," she grinned real big. "Of course, if you would rather stay here, I'm sure I can find something to keep you busy. Maybe Judge Jasper would be willing to fill in for me for the rest of the week."
"No, that's okay June," I winced. "I'll be happy to go with you. When do we leave."
"Tomorrow morning," she told me. "That'll give us a day to travel and get settled in. Maybe we can see a play that night."
"Sounds good to me, Your Honor. I've never been to New York City before."
"You're going to love it, Linda. Now, I have to go meet with our new doctor. Carol told me her name is Dr. Ramsey. I'll be back in about thirty minutes, Linda, in case anyone needs me."
"Okay, June," I smiled back, excited about the idea of getting out of here for a few days.
***
"Good afternoon, Miss Johnston," Dr. Jensen greeted the young woman. "I'm Dr. Ramsey. Do you mind if I call you Helen?"
"You can call me anything you want," she replied curtly. "My male name is Curtis, why don't you use that name instead. Dr. Green always called me by my 'real' name."
"I'm not Dr. Green," Sarah said in a businesslike tone. "You'll find my methods for helping you achieve your acceptance here are a little different from hers. I've been reading Dr. Greens notes, and they are most interesting."
"What do they say?" Helen demanded to know.
Dr. Jensen flashed the young woman a cold, thin smile. "Sorry, that's privileged information. Why don't we talk about something else, like why you're here? I read your prison record, it was very interesting."
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself," Helen stated dryly.
The doctor ignored her sarcastic comments, and read right from the opening statement. "You were a teacher at Fairmont Elementary for five years. During that time you managed to steal over $30,000 worth of cash and equipment from the school. You even enlisted the help of a couple of teenagers to pull it off. Unfortunately, they got caught in the act one night. Being minors, they got off almost Scott-free, but you weren't so lucky. Seeing that they were good boys, or so their lawyers convinced the jury, the judge blamed you for corrupting them, and threw the book at you."
"It's a lie," Helen stated angrily. "They were both thieves before I found them, and everyone knew it. Yes, I committed the crime, but I was framed. Fifteen years, I know murderers who got off with less time."
"Yes, but this wasn't your first offense either," Dr. Jensen added.
"Okay, so it wasn't," Helen admitted. "I tried to go straight when I got out the first time, but you don't know how hard it is. I did five years in prison, and swore I would never go back there again. After six months of being 'back' in jail, I would've given my left arm to get out of there."
"And you got your wish," Dr. Jensen pointed out. "You were offered a life here in Andersonville."
"No one told me I would become a GIRL if I came," she answered in a snappish manner. "I was promised a teaching job, and a nice apartment with my entire slate wiped clean. No more jail cells, not more parole officers; just my freedom within the limits of this town."
"All delivered on."
"GOD DAMN IT, look at ME!" Helen screamed. "Behind this dress and these heels, past the makeup and the long hair, is a man! A MAN! No one told me this part of the deal."
"Then you should've read the fine print," Dr. Jensen said crisply. "By coming here you forfeited the rights to your current life, and permitted us to give you a new life as we saw fit. Confidentially my dear, the judge made you a very beautiful and attractive young woman."
"Go to hell," she snarled.
"Maybe one day, but not today," Sarah grinned evilly. "Speaking of being young and attractive, I haven't read anything in your files about you seeing someone."
"I'm not interested in dating some man," she replied firmly.
"Really?" Dr. Jensen raised her eyebrows. "That's a shame, because I was searching through the files and found someone who's perfect for you. In fact, I've arranged for you to have dinner with him tonight."
"Wait a minute," Helen Johnston protested. "You can't do that, I know. Dr. Green told me no one is allowed to interfere in my social life without my permission, and I have no intention of giving it to you."
"Well, Dr. Green is correct," Sarah said with a thin smile. "But as I told you before Helen, I'm not her. I have my own set of rules that I follow."
"Screw you, because I'm not going out with him," she stated firmly.
"Oh yes you are," Dr. Jensen stated in an equally determined tone. "I'm going to make sure of that." With a slight whisper, a tall, muscular man appeared behind Helen and grabbed hold of her.
"LET GO OF ME!" she screamed at the top of her lungs. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making sure you don't move," Dr. Jensen said as she reached into her desk drawer. She pulled out a long syringe, filled with a light, milky substance, and walked toward the frightened woman.
"No, no, please," Helen begged when she saw the shot. "I'll be good, I promise. I'll go out with him tonight."
"I know you will...dear," the doctor smiled. "This will ensure that you do. Now hold still."
***
Lucas waited patiently for Crius to appear from his study. He respected the older god, but more to the point, he feared him. Lucas had been born after the Great War with the Olympians, but as a youth he still remembered fondly sitting around the fire listening to Crius talk about his plans to overthrow their conquerors. The older Titan God had escaped after the final battle was lost, and Mars and his men had turned over every stone trying to find him - but Crius was always two steps ahead of them. Surprisingly, Jupiter had ordered Rhea, now Dennis Butz, to be left alone, fueling the rumors that she had helped the Olympians somehow. Lucas didn't trust Dennis/Rhea, even if he was overseeing the most advance military base in the world.
"Lucas," Crius acknowledge as he shuffled out of his study. Leo followed close behind.
"Crius," Lucas bowed. "I've worked out a plan as you requested."
"When and where?" Crius asked, while taking a drink of the coffee that Leo had just handed him."
"This Friday afternoon if you order it," Lucas explained. "I've watched her, and found the perfect place. It will require 5.6 units of power to transform someone into Mars."
"That much?" Crius questioned seriously.
"Turning one of us into Mars won't be easy," Lucas pointed out. "He's an ugly cuss you know." Leo snickered, but a stern glare from Crius ended that.
"This is not a game!" he thrashed out at the two of them. "We're talking about the future of our 'people'. If you two can't remain focused on that, I'll find someone else who can."
"I'm sorry, Crius," Lucas replied.
"Forgive me, master," Leo begged.
Crius didn't remove the icy glare off his face. It was better to let his subordinates squirm a little, and remind them of their place. "You will proceed with your plan, Lucas. How many will it require to do the job?"
"Six should do it. One to become Mars, one to drive the getaway vehicle, and three lookouts. I'll supervise the entire operation from nearby, and check to make sure the job is finished."
"Leo," Crius motioned his helper forward with his index finger. "You will become Mars and drive the car."
"Me?" Leo questioned.
"You're a driver, aren't you?" Crius questioned in an irritating tone.
"Yes, but...I've never killed anyone before...at least not on purpose. This lady..."
"Is the key to winning my brother over," Crius made it known. "You will do as you are ordered! Killing humans is like picking a flower off a bush, more will grow back - so do not be concerned about the one you just plucked. She is just one of many who will die for our victory. It's time you get a taste of the future."
"Yes, master," Leo lowered his head.
Crius looked sternly into Lucas's eyes. "Let me know when it's done. I will prepare myself until then."
***
"Kilabola," Dr. Jensen said slowly and clearly. "You will remain calm and do as I say. You will not tell anyone else about what has happened to you, and you will never speak the key word out loud for any reason. Kilabola! Now, you will sit there calmly and not try to leave, Helen." Immediately the young woman became relaxed. Dr. Jensen ordered her security temp away, leaving the two of them alone.
"Now listen carefully, Helen. You're going to go out to dinner tonight with this young man, and have a good time. What I mean by that is, you'll laugh, talk, and make out with him afterwards."
"No...no," Helen protested with tears in her eyes.
"Keep quiet," Dr. Jensen ordered. "You're going to have sex with him...not tonight, but soon. Nothing you say or do will prevent this from happening. I'll be there with you, in another room, so I can monitor your progress. Now, you can speak."
"Why?" she asked tearfully. "I...I don't want to date a man, or have sex with one. Why are you forcing me to do this?"
"You're a woman now, that's reason enough," Sarah commented with almost no emotion in the tone. "However, since I'm asking a lot from you, I'll tell you why. I need to gauge your reaction to my serum, so I can determine how to proceed with it. Injecting it into everyone's system one person at a time isn't practical. Having a person I control do it is, in my opinion, too risky. I have to find a better way to infect everyone, like through the drinking water. You're going to help me find that way."
"I'm...I'm your guinea pig?" Helen questioned.
Dr. Jensen smiled, and rubbed her wrinkled hands under Helen's smooth chin. She really was an attractive woman. "Yes, something like that. Now don't you worry my dear. What I'm planning to do won't hurt a bit. In fact, my dear Helen, you're going to find yourself enjoying this a great deal."
Sarah looked at the clock and frowned. "It's time for you to go, Miss Johnston. I'll see you tomorrow, at the same time. Oh, one more thing. Kilabola! You will go home and put on a nice dress for your date tonight. You will make yourself up to look as feminine as possible. Once you leave, you'll be happy and excited about your date tonight. Kilabola! Are there any questions, Helen?"
"You can't make me do this, you, you bitch!"
"It's already been done, Helen," the doctor smiled. "Now go home and get ready."
The young woman bounced out of her chair and headed for the door. Before leaving, she turned smiling and said, "See you later, Dr. Ramsey."
"Have fun," Sarah called out with a thin, evil smile. She loved her job sometimes.
***
The next few days progressed without incident for Dr. Jensen. There had been a short meeting with Judge Herns, but Crius had coached her on how to act in her presence. After their meeting, Sarah was confident the judge didn't suspect a thing. Dr. Green was another matter. Her co-worker was surprised at the turn about in some of her ex-clients, and asked a lot of questions. Dr. Jensen was indefinite with her answers, and always found a reason to excuse herself before the discussion got to deep. Still, that didn't stop Dr. Green from trying. Dr. Ramsey had just gotten done with a client, one that she planned to use later on when things progressed, when there was a knock on her door. She looked up to see Dr. Green standing in the doorway, smiling.
"Hi Dr. Ramsey. Do you have a minute?"
Sarah sighed; knowing there was no way out of this. Her next client wouldn't show up for at least 10 minutes.
"Have a seat, Carol," she offered without standing up. "What can I do for you?"
"It's Helen Johnston. I've noticed that she's been acting differently the past couple of days."
"For better or worse?" Dr. Jensen threw out.
"Better...happier. In fact I heard she was on a date last night."
"Her second date," Sarah grinned. "And I understand she has another one tonight."
"How...how did you accomplish that?" Dr. Green asked with great curiosity. "I've been trying for months to convince her just to go out with some girlfriends. All of the sudden you see her, and she's dating someone."
"Are you accusing me of doing something wrong?" Dr. Jensen glared at the other doctor. She was unhappy to see that Dr. Green wasn't intimidated by her up-front manner.
"If I were," she replied curtly, "we would be talking about this in front of Judge Herns. Now I know Helen Johnston, and I know she wasn't very open to her new role here. Suddenly she is, and I would like to know how you accomplished that."
Dr. Jensen cursed under her breath. She had underestimated Dr. Green, a dangerous thing to do. Sarah flashed the other doctor a smile to ease her suspicions, and made up a lie.
"When we met, she talked about a gentleman who had asked her out on a date that morning. Of course she didn't want to go, but after a lot of yelling on her part, I convinced her to give it a try."
"Was this a real person or a temp?" Dr. Green wanted to know.
"A temp - and before you asked, yes, I set this date up on my own. I looked at her report and determined this would help Helen in accepting her new life here."
"That's not allowed," Dr. Green stated strongly. "You know the rules, or should. If it happens it happens, but we're not a dating service here. We only help them find a mate if they ask, and then under certain conditions."
"Dr. Green, I'm well aware of the rules. However, there are rules, and then there are 'rules.' Some rules are meant to be bent and even broken from time to time. As you can see, setting her up has worked out for the best. Helen is very happy now. In fact, she's fixing the young man dinner tonight, and I understand she has some 'extra activities' planned for him later."
Carol frowned. There was something disturbing about the way Dr. Ramsey had emphasized the words 'extra activities'. This certainly wasn't the Helen Johnston she had known.
"It's still improper," she reinforced. "We're here to help out, not interfere or run their lives. I should...I should report this."
"Please, Carol," Dr. Jensen said in a soften tone. "I'm new here, and I meant well. In the future I'll refrain from getting my clients dates, unless they asked me to."
Dr. Green thought about carefully. Dr. Ramsey was new, and unfamiliar with all their rules. Heck, even she had bent a rule now and then in the interest of a client. Wasn't she just as guilty?
"Okay, Dr. Ramsey. I see no reason to report this since everything worked out okay. However, in the future I ask that you stay within the guidelines. This could've backfired on us."
"I'll do that Carol. Now if you'll excuse me, I must get ready for my next client. Perhaps we could have lunch next week."
Dr. Green smiled at the idea. "I would like that very much, Dr. Ramsey. I'll check my schedule and let you know. Perhaps Judge Herns and Linda Anderson can join us."
"If it's all the same to you, Dr. Green, I would prefer not having lunch with one of your clients. Maybe I'm old fashion, but I frown on having lunch with people who see me. I believe it ruins the client/doctor relationship. No offensive intended, I'm sure Linda's a lovely girl, but I would feel...awkward if she came."
"I understand," Dr. Green replied, but not really understanding at all. "Perhaps in time you will change your mind about Linda."
"Perhaps," Dr. Ramsey agreed.
"I better let you go," Carol stated. As she left Dr. Ramsey's office, she felt uncomfortable about their entire conversation. Dr. Green sensed the older doctor wasn't being completely truthful about her methods.
***
"Well Helen, today is the big day," Dr. Jensen grinned while stirring a cup of coffee.
"But...but I don't want to do this?" Helen protested in a calm manner, just as she had been ordered to act. How was Dr. Ramsey able to control her behavior so easily, and force her to do things she didn't want to do?
"That doesn't matter," Dr. Jensen explained with almost no emotion in her voice. "It's what I want you to do that counts. Here, swallow this." Sarah handed Helen a rather large pill.
"What...what is it?" Helen asked in a frightened voice.
Dr. Jensen laughed. "Don't worry, Helen, it's not going to turn you into a nymphomaniac. This little pill will allow me to monitor how your body reacts to...well, to your love making tonight. It's something a friend provided for me."
"I don't want to take it...and I don't want to have sex with a man," she whimpered. "Please, let me go."
Dr. Jensen glared strongly at the young woman and said, "Kilabola! You will do as I say from now on without questioning it. Kilabola! Now, pick up the water next to you Helen, and swallow the pill."
Helen Johnston did as she was told; she found she didn't have a choice. She grabbed the glass of water with one hand and the pill with her other. She placed the pill in her mouth, and swallowed it down with the water. When she was done, she placed the glass on the table next to her.
"Very good, Helen," Dr. Jensen praised, looking at her computer screen. Everything seemed to be working okay. "Yes, I believe we're all set."
***
Steve Anderson was walking up the steps when he spotted Helen Johnston coming down the other way. She had a smile on her face from ear to ear, and Steve swore that she had been humming something moments before.
"Hello, Miss Johnston," Steve greeted her respectfully. Linda had told him a great deal about the elementary teacher. He had also heard a rumor that she had been trying to get a group of people together to protest their being here. When Judge Herns found out, she had quickly put an end to that plan.
"You're Steve, aren't you?" she grinned pleasantly.
"Yes. I'm Jennifer's brother."
"Yes Jennifer, a lovely girl," Mrs. Johnston commented cheerfully. Steve noticed the woman had said it strangely, as if the words had been forced. It wasn't really noticeable, and probably anyone else would have brushed off the feeling, but Steve felt his stomach tighten up at the thought.
"Thank you, Miss Johnston."
"Please, call me Helen," the older woman said. Another alarm went off inside Steve's head. It wasn't proper for a person such as Helen Johnston to insist that a teenager address her by her first name. Okay, he understood that Andersonville wasn't like the real world, but Miss Johnston had never allowed students to call her by her first name before.
"Of course...Helen," Steve answered with suspicion. He noticed a wild look in her eyes. "I have an appointment to see Dr. Green. Were you just there?"
"Oh no," she giggled. "There's a new doctor I'm seeing now. Her name is Dr. Ramsey, and she makes me feel like a new woman. In fact, I'm going home to fix my boyfriend dinner, and then we're going to have a night of hot, passionate sex! Oops," she put her hand over her mouth in mild embarrassment. "I shouldn't have told you that."
"No, you shouldn't have," Steve agreed with great concern. Something was wrong here.
"Well, I must be going now, Steve. I have to pick out the right nightie to wear tonight. Oh, I just can't wait. Goodbye."
Steve watched the teacher bound down the steps with great enthusiasm. Miss Johnston was acting very much out of the ordinary. He climbed the rest of the steps and headed for Dr. Green's office. When he knocked, Carol greeted him warmly and motioned him in.
"So, how are you doing, Steve," she asked, while taking a seat across from him.
"I'm fine, Dr. Green."
"I figured you were," she smiled. "The reason why I set up this meeting is to see how things are going. As you may have guess, many people suffered when some of our temps disappeared. Are you having any problems?"
"No, I'm fine. I was in class when it happened. One minute I was listening to our teacher lecture with 25 other kids, and the next minute everyone was gone except for Robert Halley and a few temps. The temps were okay, just confused. It was kind of humorous really, seeing them looking around and not understanding what had happened. Robert was pretty shook up, but I managed to keep him calm by talking about other things. Finally we went into the hallway and found our friends. Then the temps that were still around told us to go home and stay there until further notice."
"Well, I'm glad to hear everything worked out for you. That was a very tragic day for all of us."
"Dr. Green, can I ask you a question?"
"Of course," she smiled. "What is it, Steve?"
"Well, I know we're not supposed to talk about other clients you counsel, but have you noticed anything different about Miss Johnston?"
"Why do you ask, Steve?"
"Because I saw her on the steps on my way here, and she was acting...strangely."
"How was she acting strangely?"
"Well, she was humming and laughing, and even told me to call her, Helen, instead of Miss Johnston. I admit I don't know her that well, but her behavior doesn't seem right."
"Miss Johnston has been seeing a new doctor," Carol explained. "I guess Dr. Ramsey was able to help Miss Johnston accept her new life here. You're also right, Steve, I can't talk about her with you. Sorry, but we have our rules here."
Steve frowned and nodded that he understood. "Do you think I could meet this Dr. Ramsey? I would be interested in knowing what she's like."
Dr. Green tapped her pen on the table next to her a few times. "Well, I suppose since you don't have anything to talk to me about. I think she was getting ready to leave soon. Let's go see if she's still in."
The young man followed Dr. Green down the hallway to another door that was slightly ajar. Carol knocked and said, "Excuse me, Dr. Ramsey. Have you got a moment?"
"Only a moment," the older woman said. "I have to be somewhere."
"This will only take a second," Dr. Green replied. "I'd like you to meet someone."
Steve followed Dr. Green into the office, and stared at the older woman standing there in a long skirted dress that made her look like someone's grandmother.
"Hello, Dr. Ramsey," Steve said formally. "I'm Steve Anderson."
"Yes, I've heard your name before," she replied with just a tad of bitterness.
"Where?" Steve asked.
"One of my clients brought your name up, young man. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you any more. It was nice meeting you, but now I really must be going. If you will both excuse me."
She ushered them out of the office, then locked the door and headed off in a hurry.
"Not a very sociable person," Steve muttered as he watched her go.
"Some people are like that," Dr. Green commented. She sensed that Steve was troubled by this visit and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I...I don't know," he stated honestly. "Dr. Green, how much do you know about Dr. Ramsey?"
"Well, not a whole lot," she admitted. "I have some very basic background information on her, but that's about it. Of course, I can't talk to you about it."
"Of course," Steve replied with a frown.
***
Steve was waiting around the corner for them to show up. He heard the elevator open, and the sounds of people walking his way. When they got close, Steve stepped out in front of them.
"Hello Jeff," he said to Sergeant Summers. "Can I talk to you guys for a moment."
The three men shared an uncomfortable stare among themselves. Contact with others wasn't allowed, and considering what had happened to Colonel Myers, they were even less willing to break any rules.
"I'm sorry, Steve, but we're in a hurry," Jeff replied formally. "We have a business meeting to go to."
"Come on, Jeff. I know all about you guys."
"That being the case Steve, then you know we can't talk to you. Sorry, but rules are rules." They tried to walk around Steve, but he blocked their path. Immediately Mac pulled out his phone and made a call.
"Okay look guys, don't talk, just listen. There's this new doctor who just started working here. Her name is Dr. Ramsey and something's not right with her. Call it an investigator's instinct, but I sense she's up to no good." Steve heard footsteps coming down the hallway, indicating he didn't have much time. "Look, at least do me a favor and check her out. I'm telling you, something isn't right."
"Problem?" Officer Tabler asked.
"This kid won't let us pass," Mac told the officer.
"Come on, Steve," the cop said, while grabbing the teenager by the arm. "Let these men by, they don't concern you."
As Steve was being pulled away, he tried one more time to reach them. "Jeff, you know me well enough to know I wouldn't go flying off the handle like this. Please, check her out."
"Thank you, officer," Edward said as they left. Once outside, Mac and Edward turned to Jeff and asked, "What are we going to do?"
"Rules are rules," Jeff informed them. "We'll fill out a report about this contact, and if someone wants to do something about it they'll let us know."
"Yes, but what if he's right, Jeff?" Edward asked. "Steve Anderson could've waited and shown up at your apartment - instead he wanted us all to know. Doesn't that send up a red flag to you? Steve wasn't asking for a favor, he was warning us of a possible problem."
"What do you want to do, Edward?" Jeff shot back. "You know Colonel Jacobs would never authorize us to do a background check on this doctor. Aren't we in enough trouble as it is? Colonel Myers may have taken the heat for us, but our actions are still going to be investigated under a microscope."
"Do you think what he said is true, Jeff?" Mac asked.
"I think it's worth checking out, but you know we'll never be able to do so unless it's on our own - and I'm not willing to do that without more evidence. Do you guys disagree with me?" Both Mac and Edward shook their heads. "Then I'll catch you both tomorrow."
Mac and Edward headed off to their cars, while Jeff made his daily walk home to his apartment. When he got there, Jeff opened up the refrigerator and pulled out a beer. He plopped down on the couch and took a big swallow of his bitter brew. His meeting with Steve Anderson bothered him greatly.
***
Helen Johnston was beside herself. Her nice romantic dinner, with soft music in the background and candles on the table, had gone off without a hitch. After dinner they had snuggled up on the couch, which lead to some passionate kissing and touching in places that could only be done in private. When the moment grew into something more, Helen excused herself so she could change into something 'more comfortable'. She put on a short, blue silky nightgown with a plunging neckline lavished with lace. A matching robe went with the outfit, and Helen rushed to her vanity table to freshen up her face and brush her hair. Inside she was feeling ill.
"You look lovely, Helen," Dr. Jensen said as she walked into her bedroom. "Why don't you pull the covers back on your bed - guys love it when you do that."
The frightened woman turned to the doctor and pleaded one last time, "Please don't make me go through with this. I'm not...I'm not ready."
"Nonsense, my dear," Dr. Jensen said in a low, cool voice. "You've had three days to think about it." The old woman smiled, but it wasn't one of compassion. "I know you're nervous, Helen. The first time is always a little scary. Just remember, other women have done this too."
"But...but I'm not a woman," she tried to cry out. "Stop this, pleaseeeeeeeee!"
"That's enough, Helen," she chastised impatiently. "Now, you're going to go in there and present yourself to him. Then you're going to come back here, and when the time is right, spread your legs and enjoy every moment of your new life - do you understand me."
"No...I won't," she protested calmly. "I don't want to have sex with him. You're a crazy old bitch. Let me go!"
While on the outside Helen appeared calm, on the inside she was boiling over. Damn it, why didn't she have control over her own body anymore? Helen had tried to scream the words out, but all she could do was say them in a casual manner, as if it were a suggestion on her part, and not a command.
"Enough Helen," Dr. Jensen scowled her. "Now go, and don't spoil the moment - it'll only make it less enjoyable for you." Sarah purposely picked those words to irritate her. She wanted Helen to fight this every step of the way.
Unable to control what she was really feeling, Helen stood and left her bedroom smiling. Dr. Jensen quickly made her way back to the spare room, and watched the numbers climb. Helen was fighting hard to stop what was going to happen next. She heard a noise in the hallway, as Helen led her suitor back to her bedroom. There were some more muffled noises as they got in bed, and 20 minutes later Sarah saw the numbers peak as Helen crossed that line from being a young, innocent girl to a mature woman.
The information continued to flow in, and much to the doctor's amazement, the data held a few surprises. Sarah was glad she had set this up. The information would help in her research. Gradually things slowed down for about an hour, and then the numbers started to climb again as they proceeded to have a second encounter. This time the data was different, since Helen was tired and had a good idea of what to expect. Dr. Jensen saved everything to a CD and carefully analyzed what she saw.
***
It was Friday afternoon, and Mrs. Butz was making her usual trip to the grocery story. Despite being 48 years old, she was still a very attractive woman who could turn the heads of a few men depending on what she wore. She found shorter skirts were best for that type of attention. The store was just ahead, and surprisingly busy for a Friday. Mrs. Butz had to park her car in the back of the lot.
Checking to make sure she had her purse and keys, Mrs. Butz fluffed up her hair a little and started walking toward the front entrance. From the roof of a nearby building, Lucas watched with great interest. He checked in with his spotters to see if there were any cops in the area. When they reported that there weren't, Lucas put the next phase of his plan into action.
"Leo, come in. Our target is walking toward the store. Do you copy?"
"I see her," Leo replied reluctantly, now a perfect copy of the God Mars.
"Then go get her, and make sure you stop so people can see your face. Remember what the plan is."
"I...I understand." Leo put down the radio, and placed the car into drive. He drove up slowly behind the woman, and watched as she continued to walk without a clue to the fact that her life was about to end. Leo felt a twinge of guilt. It was one thing to kill an Olympian; he could handle that. However, killing an innocent human was another matter. The Titan God whispered he was sorry, then pressed down on the accelerator.
His car was going almost 40mph when he drifted over and struck the older woman in the back. Mrs. Butz was lifted onto the hood of the car, and her head hit the middle of the windshield, causing the glass to crack. Blood spilled out over the windshield and hood, and in the distance Leo could hear the screams from some poor lady who had seen everything. He hit the brakes, and Mrs. Butz's unconscious body rolled to the ground. At least Leo could be thankful that she wasn't in any pain now.
He punched the accelerator down once more, and heard the sickening sound of bones cracking underneath the tires of his car - followed by more screaming from horrified spectators. Unfortunately, his job wasn't over yet.
Leo stopped the car and got out to look at the body. When he saw what he had done, the Titan thought he was going to be sick. The poor woman's body was crushed, and if she weren't dead she soon would be. People ran past him to help, and several got a good look at his face. Satisfied that there would be enough witnesses to give the police a good description; Leo jumped back into the car and sped off. A few blocks away he parked behind the getaway vehicle and got out of his car. His accomplice motioned Leo into the back, and told him to lie down on the floor. Ten minutes later they reached a deserted place where the two Titans could make a jump to another location.
Leo sat up feeling sick to his stomach. He had actually killed another living thing. Why did others glorify this despicable act so much? Was it easier killing an Olympian? Somehow Leo didn't think it would be, but Crius had been right. He now had a taste for what killing was like - a belly full of it. The god thought he was going to upchuck right then and there.
***
Lucas witnessed the accident with strange fascination. There was something unreal about watching the car come up behind the woman and strike her down. He had concerns that Leo didn't have it in him to do such an act, and was glad to see he was wrong. As planned, Leo got out of his car so several people got a good look at him before driving away.
Quickly Lucas made his way off the roof and toward the accident scene. It was his responsibility to make sure the woman was dead. He shoved his way through the small crowd and looked at the body that had moments before been a vibrant, living being. He didn't have to look twice, he knew she was gone. As he turned to leave one of the main witnesses looked up just in time to get a good look at him.
'Another gawking spectator,' she thought to herself.
***
I was taking a nice, hot shower to refresh my worn out body. June Herns and I had just gotten back from a daylong shopping trip, and I was beat. However, the night was still young, and we had reservations at a 5-star restaurant followed by a Broadway show. I had to admit it; I was having a great time. June was a fun lady to be with, and I found myself admiring her confidence and grace. The meeting yesterday hadn't been so bad either, and I felt we had both picked up something from it.
As I got out of the shower and wrapped the towel around my feminine body, I heard the judge's phone ring. All I could pick up was the muffled sounds of her talking in the other room. Picking up another towel, I started drying my long, brown hair. I looked at the girl in the mirror as I did and smiled. She was pretty. Then I caught myself - that pretty girl was now me. Why couldn't I just accept that fact?
I wrapped the towel around my hair and walked into the bedroom area of our suite. There I found June Herns sitting on my bed with a long face.
"What's wrong?" I asked nervously.
"Linda," she patted a spot next to me, "sit down."
"Why?" I asked fearfully. "What happened? Is it my...my family?"
"No, Linda," she shook her head. "Your family is fine. I just got a call from Dennis. His wife was killed in a hit and run accident this afternoon."
"Oh my god," I said out of shock. I sat down on the bed, and Judge Herns put her arm around me. "How...how is he doing?"
"Do you really care, Linda?" June asked without any conviction in the question.
"Of course I care," I retorted angrily. "What kind of question is that?"
"Based on what I've seen between the two of you the past few months, I think it's a fair question." I looked away, but Judge Herns turned my cheek so I would face her. In a serious yet concern tone she asked, "What happened between the two of you?"
I frowned and stared down at the ground in guilt. "We had a fight, and I accused him of some things that he called me on."
"You think he lied about why he had you transformed into Linda, isn't that right?" I looked at her with accusing eyes, and she shook her head slowly. "No, he never told me what it was about, but I'm a good guesser."
"He also told me who he was," I explained. "Rhea, the queen of the Titan Gods - banned to live as a man forever. Why did Jupiter do that, June?"
"It's not my place to say, Linda. If Dennis...Rhea wants you to know, he'll tell you. However, you're wrong about his reasons. Dennis did what he did to keep you, the Andersons, and Al Parker together. He didn't lie to you about that."
"I know," I nodded sadly. "I kind of realized that after our fight. I wanted to talk to him and set things straight, but damn it, I just couldn't. He's wronged me so many times in the past. Like the deal he made with Jupiter that sent me to Peace River without even asking me first. That was so wrong!"
"He also apologized to you several times, didn't he?" June pointed out.
I nodded. "Yes, but ...I don't know."
"Do you hate him, Linda?"
I thought about it carefully for a moment, then shook my head. "No June, I don't. The truth is, I respect Dennis a lot. But 'damn it', I would respect him even more if he didn't hide so many things from me."
Judge Herns gave me an understanding nod. "Linda, let me tell you a story. When Peace River was first created, I didn't spend a lot of time there, mainly because of my ex-husband. Most of my time was spent traveling, and becoming re-acquainted with your people and their habits. One day this rather rude cowboy got on my bad side. I rewarded his efforts by turning him into the cutest, prettiest, and most petite girl my mind could come up with at the time. Of course he fell completely apart when that happened. In my rage over a minor insult, I had used the full power of my abilities, and thus his condition was permanent. Realizing I couldn't just leave the poor girl there to fend for herself, I took her under my wing as my helper. For the next several months we traveled together and became close - so close in fact that she was more like a niece to me than my servant. During that time, I told her many things about myself; things I haven't even told you yet.
"Now Dennis is different. For him it takes longer to open up to others, sometimes years, and you have to accept that, Linda. You have to accept the fact that Dennis will be open with you when his timetable allows him to be, not yours. I'm sorry Linda, but to expect him to act in any other way is being, well, rather selfish on your part. You have to respect his rights...and his fears of opening up to you."
"Another lesson, June?"
She grinned softly. "We learn new things everyday, if we're open to them."
I nodded, then asked, "Can you take me to him?"
"Yes," she told me. "We can leave as soon as you're dressed."
***
The numb director sat on his couch nursing a glass of 12-year-old scotch. Spread out on the coffee table in front of him were pictures of his dead wife - including one of them kissing from their recent trip to Hawaii. That had been a wonderful trip. Dennis stared at the picture taken not that long ago, and couldn't accept the fact that she was dead. He had had many wives from his past, but she had been different. They had connected on many different levels, and now she was gone.
A couple of the neighborhood ladies, on hearing the news, had brought over some food. It looked good, but Dennis wasn't hungry. He took another drink of his scotch to numb the grief he felt. The phone rang, his private one. Dennis had to answer it.
"Hello," he answered dejectedly.
"Hello, my brother," the voice said sadly. "My associate just told what happened. I'm sorry to hear about your wife."
"Thank you, Crius," Dennis replied, as he placed the glass on the table and poured himself another drink.
"You shouldn't be alone tonight. I'm going to have one of my associates drive me to your house."
"No, you mustn't," Dennis objected. "You know what the terms of your release are. If the Olympians catch you outside of Andersonville, they'll return you back to Peace River. I can't let you risk it."
"Then come here," Crius offered. "I have a spare bedroom you can stay in. I'm concerned about you, Rhea. You shouldn't be alone at a time like this."
"Thank you," Dennis told him gratefully. "You don't know how much I appreciate your offer, Crius. It means a lot. Unfortunately, things have changed since you were out. Humans have a custom of burying their dead. I have to go down to the funeral home tomorrow morning and make the arrangements."
"I understand," Crius replied. "However, I want to help you somehow. I understand her accident was the result of a hit and run driver."
"Yes," Dennis said painfully. "Fortunately, the police have a good description of the driver."
"So I've been told, which is why I'm offering you my services. Let me investigate the matter personally. I'll have my associates who can leave Andersonville get the information I need. You worry about...about your wife. I'll investigate the accident."
Dennis wanted to turn him down. He wanted to be the one who caught the man responsible for this act. From what he had been told, it had all the markings of a deliberate act. He had already talked to the police, who had wanted to know if he knew of someone with a beef against him. Dennis almost laughed at the question. The list was so long that it would've taken the rest of the night to name everyone. He gave the police a few names, but even he didn't seriously think they were responsible.
"Thank you, Crius," he said in a businesslike tone. "When you find out something, let me know."
"I will, Rhea. If you need to talk, I'll be up. Goodnight."
Dennis hung up the phone without answering. He picked up his drink and drank it down with one, long gulp. Staring at the empty glass in anger, he cursed and threw it against the fireplace, where it shattered into a million pieces. The director sat down on the couch and put his hands to his head.
***
Steve crept down the darkened hallway of the courthouse. He knew this was wrong, but his detective instincts had gotten the best of him. Something wasn't right with this Dr. Ramsey, and he had to find out what that was. He had waited inside the bathroom for almost two hours after closing before making his move.
Carefully he made his way past the security cameras and other devices that he knew existed. When he got to Dr. Ramsey's door, he pulled out a thin, metal wire and proceeded to pick the lock. It wasn't the best lock on the market, and in 30 seconds flat Steve had the door open. What Steve didn't know was that the doors were wired.
In the bunker an alarm went off, indicating someone was opening an office door after hours. Normally this wouldn't have been a big issue, but no one had seen Dr. Ramsey come in. Colonel Gray was in charge that night, and he picked up the phone."
***
Dr. Jensen was just getting ready to leave town when her cell phone rang. She reached down and punched the talk button.
"Hello?" she said.
"Dr. Ramsey, this is Colonel Gray. I'm sorry to disturb you, but we just got an alert that someone has entered your office, and was wondering if you knew anything about it."
Dr. Jensen almost said 'no', but caught herself. If someone were snooping around her office, it would be better not to get others involved. Quickly she thought up a lie.
"It's okay, Colonel Gray. I'm suppose to be meeting with someone in my office right about now, and I'm running a little late."
"Excuse me, Dr. Ramsey, but who is your patient? We have no record of anyone entering the building in the last hour."
"Sorry, colonel," Sarah answered. "I'd rather not explain who my client is over the phone. I'm guessing they've been waiting around for a while, and just discovered I left the door unlocked for them."
There was a long moment of silence on the phone before Colonel Gray responded in a stern tone. "Okay, Dr. Ramsey. Please make sure this doesn't happen again. Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Dr. Jensen turned off the phone, "you military jerk-off!" She turned her car around and headed for her office.
***
Steve had checked the desk and the file cabinet and found nothing out of the ordinary. Still not convinced everything was on the up and up, he opened the closet door and turned on the light. Inside he found a couple of coats and several boxes sitting on the floor. Most of the boxes were empty, having been used to bring stuff into the office. One contained a few odds and ends, but nothing of interest.
The young detective next checked the coat pockets for receipts or other types of papers, but found nothing. Discouraged, he was about to leave when he spotted what looked like a loose board behind one of the coats. Steve moved closer, and ran his fingers around the joint. Yes, it definitely was loose. He grabbed hold of the board and gave it a quick jerk. It popped out, revealing a small, square hole with a black metal box inside it. Steve pulled out the box and placed it on the floor. He trembled as he released the latch and opened it. Inside he found several small bottles containing a white, milky substance. Steve knew immediately what it was.
"Oh shit," he whispered. It was Dr. Jensen's behavior serum. That's why Helen Johnston was acting so strangely the other day. Somehow Dr. Ramsey had gotten a hold of Dr. Jensen serum, and had used it to control her movements. No, that couldn't be right. Someone had to be supplying her with it. But if that was the case, then Dennis Butz had to be involved in all this.
"Find what you were looking for, Steve?" Dr. Ramsey's voice rang out.
Startled, Steve turned around and faced the older woman who was standing by her desk. He noticed she wasn't holding a weapon of any kind in her hands.
Steve held out one of the glass vials and demand with authority, "What the hell are you doing with this?"
The old woman smiled slightly and said, "I think you know what it's for, Steve - or would you prefer I call you Al Parker? It seems like old times, doesn't it? You breaking into my office and trying to steal from me."
The teenager's face went pale. "Dr. Jensen. I should've guessed?"
She nodded with almost no emotion. "Yes, and just like before you're a day late and a dollar short, Al."
"Not this time," he hissed. "This time you don't have Gerald to stop me."
"You're right, Al, I have something better." The doctor twisted her head slightly. Out of thin air a huge, muscular man appeared behind Steve and grabbed his arms. Steve struggled to get away, but the temps grip was impressive. He forced Steve out of the closet and into the middle of the room.
"Relax, Steve," Dr. Jensen smiled evilly. "What I'm going to do to you won't hurt - too much." Sarah laughed as she went to the closet to retrieve her serum. She placed it on her desk and started preparing a syringe in front of him.
"You won't get away with this, you old bitch," Steve hissed. "I'll find a way to break free of your control like I did before."
"Break free!" she mocked. "This time there isn't a Tom McClain around to rescue you, only some sniveling little girl you call a sister. Besides, you won't have time to break free. Do you remember what you did to me?"
"I remember," Steve answered nervously.
"Good, because I believe that turn about is fair play. Since you condemned me to die in a horrible car crash, I'm going to do the same to you." Dr. Jensen readied the shot, then approached him. "You'll be happy to know, Steve, that I've made great advancements with my serum since we last met. I no longer have to stick it into the back of your brain. I can stick it," she slammed the needle into the top part of his arm, "anywhere I want now."
Steve screamed in pain when she stuck him. Dr. Jensen smiled, injected the serum, and pulled the needle out. "There, you should start feeling the effects right away."
The warm feeling from where the serum had been injected rose up Steve's arm and started moving throughout his body. Steve panicked, and started kicking at the temp to try and get free. It was a useless effort. He thought about Sally, and the second chance at happiness they had that was about to end. Why hadn't he thought of that before?
"Please, let me live," Steve pleaded. "Please Dr. Jensen, have mercy on me."
"Mercy," she spat out with a glare. "Go to hell, Mr. Parker. But don't worry, you won't be down there all alone for very long. I plan to send your sister there too real soon."
"I'll get you for this, Dr. Jensen," Steve threatened. "I swear I'll get you somehow, someway."
Dr. Jensen stared at him with hatred, then said, "Trimalex! You will remain calm and do exactly as I say..."
***
It was dark by the time I reached his house. There was a single light in the living room, but the curtains were drawn preventing me from seeing inside. I walked up to the front door and rang the doorbell. No one answered. I looked back at Judge Herns, who was sitting in the car watching me. She motioned for me to try again, and I did. Again there was no answer, and I was beginning to think June was wrong about Dennis being here. I tried the doorbell a third time, and also knocked real hard. This time I heard some commotion inside, and then the front door opened. When the director saw me standing there, he gave me an unhappy glare.
"What do you want, Miss Anderson?" he asked in a curt tone.
"Dennis...I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?" he asked firmly. "I would have thought that me being miserable would've made you happy. Isn't this what you wanted, Miss Anderson? To suffer as much as you have?"
"Dennis, I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"
"I'm grieving," he replied. "I'm not in the mood for your 'temper tantrums' tonight." He started to close the door.
"I was WRONG!" I blurted out. He stopped closing the door and stood there like a stone statue, staring back at me with his blood shot eyes. "I was so wrong that day, Dennis. I was wrong about your people and your motives. I know I hurt you, and I'm sorry. I was way out of line."
"Yes you were," he leaned forward snarling. "For Christ sake Linda, I'm old enough to be your father! How could you even think I was interested in 'screwing' you? Do you really think that after all these centuries sex is what motivates me to be nice to others? I cared about you as a friend, Linda...as a friend! Not as a replacement for my deceased daughter, not as a potential lover, but as a FRIEND!"
"I know...and I care about you as a friend too, Dennis," I whispered.
"Yeah, and when did you ever show it?" he asked sharply.
"Tonight," I answered. "I asked the judge to bring me here as soon as I found out."
Dennis looked over at June Herns, who was watching us from her car. Then he stared back down at me with a frown.
"Come in," he said sternly. I grabbed my overnight bag and saw Judge Herns drive off as I went inside. "Do you want a drink?" he asked.
"No thanks, Dennis." I took a seat and looked at the pictures spread out on the coffee table. There was one that showed the two of them together. I picked it up and looked at it. "Is this her?"
He nodded sadly and took a sip of his drink. "I met her at a party." He smiled slightly as he remembered the event. "She was the most beautiful woman I had ever met. I fell in love with her that night."
"Did she know...about you being a Titan?"
"No," Dennis frowned. "I thought if she did, her life would be in danger. So I kept that part of my life a secret, for what good it did. She was murdered anyway."
"Murdered?"
An anger expression appeared on his face. "Yes...murdered. From what the police told me, it's pretty obvious."
"Do you know who did it?"
I have a pretty good idea." He paused for a moment to finish his drink, then turned to me. "It's late, I should get to bed. Since Judge Herns left, and you came in with that bag, I assuming she's expecting you to spend the night here."
"That was the plan."
"You can take the guest room," he said in a brusque tone. "I have to get up early tomorrow to make arrangements to bury...bury...my lovely...oh God, NO!" The poor man couldn't take it anymore. He fell down into a chair and started sobbing loudly. I rushed over and hugged him tightly.
"It's okay, Dennis," I reassured him. "I'll go with you tomorrow for support."
He nodded, and suddenly got control of his emotions. He rubbed his hand over his eyes to remove the tears, and sniffed a few times. "I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry about, Dennis. After all, you're human."
He nodded slowly. "Thank you...Linda. Come on, I'll show you where the guest room is."
"No," I told him softly. "I want to stay with you tonight."
He stiffened by the suggestion. "Are you offering me sex?" he demanded to know in an insulting tone.
I shook my head and said, "Something better. I'm offering you the comfort and support of a friend."
"How do you know you can trust me?"
"If there's one person I can trust in this world, Dennis, it's you," I replied in a firm tone. "I know you'll always do the honorable thing."
For a moment a small smile of gratitude appeared on his lips, that faded back to a more solemn expression. "This way, Linda. You can change in the bathroom."
I followed him up the steps.
***
Steve was driving Linda's red Camaro toward an area where his friends usually hung out. His sister had allowed him to borrow the car while she was out of town with Judge Herns. Steve knew what he was going to do, and fought desperately to stop it. The young man wanted to scream for help, but Dr. Jensen's serum prevented him from doing so. Up ahead he spotted Grizzly, Larry, and a few other friends. He pulled up beside them, and revved the engine real loud.
"Is that you in that car, Steve," one of the kids joked. "What a waste of machinery." There was a choir of friendly laughter among the group.
Steve chuckled and yelled, "Hey, anytime one of you brave souls want to race me, just let me know. I'll show you what a 'real' man can do with a car."
There was some more good nature ribbing from his friends, which Steve returned. Then he shouted, "Hey guys, watch this."
The teenager slammed the shifter into first gear, and peeled out. The thick smoke rose and surrounded his friends, who yelled and cheered him on. Steve drove about a quarter of a mile down the road, then spun the car around and started back. By the time he passed his friends, the car was doing close to 90mph. It was time. Steve jerked the steering wheel to the right, and the car careered into an open ditch. The front of the car got stuck in the thick mud, and the tail end rose up into the air. The car began to flip end of end while his friends watched in horror.
The rear end of the Camaro hit a tree next to the ditch, Steve's original target, and flipped the car onto it's top. Fortunately, Dr. Jensen had forgotten to order Steve not to wear his seatbelt, which prevented him from being ejected from the car. Larry and Grizzly rushed over to the mangled auto and peered inside.
"Call for help!" Larry yelled, realizing it was too late.
***
I was lying in bed in a semi-conscious state. Dennis was sleeping with his head lying against my chest, and from the way he kept moving around I knew it was a fitful sleep. I held on to him a little more, hoping it would help. The cotton nightgown I wore was hot, but probably the safest thing to wear in a situation like this. Dennis Butz may have been honorable, but he was also a man who was emotional distressed. I knew the next few days would be the hardest for him. It was funny, but for the entire time I had known Dennis, I had never considered the fact he had real feelings like everyone else. He had always been so cool and in control of his emotions. Seeing him break down in front of me made me realize how much he was just like us.
I heard the muffled sound of a phone ringing in the night. At first I thought it was Dennis' phone, but then I realized it was mine. I moved his head off my breast, and sat up.
"What's going on?" he asked in a slurred, tired voice.
"My phone is ringing," I whispered back. I dug into my purse and pulled it out.
"Hello," I answered. It was my father. Tears filled my eyes as he told me the news.
"I'll be home as soon as I can," I told him. I turned off the phone and sat up on the edge of the bed, staring into the darkness.
Dennis sensed something was wrong, and came up behind me. He put his firm hands on my shoulders and asked gently, "Linda, what's wrong?"
A tear fell down my cheek. "It's Steve."
Fade out...
To be continued next season.
