Two Of A Kind

Chapter 4 – Loss

Shane glanced over to Alex sitting next to her. Shed been quiet for most of the evening. They had first driven over to Shanes apartment to pick up a few essentials like her passport. And then theyd taken a cab to the airport. They had gone through customs and had boarded the plane fifteen minutes ago. It was taxiing down the runway ready for takeoff. Alex closed her eyes and placed her palms on the armrests. Her thoughts involuntarily going back to what had happened earlier that day. Or rather night. She had agreed to cover for a colleague and by three in the morning was completely exhausted. Her shift was almost over when the paramedics brought in a six-year-old little boy and his father. The same boy social services had told her they couldnt help. When she looked at the boy and this father this sudden anger had flared up in her but she had suppressed it and had gone to treat him. The boy had broken his leg and when Alex was examining him she had noticed bruises on the inside of his thighs. Thats when she knew. She had called social services again but they had brushed her off again. She had treated the boy and was ready to release him but against her better judgment she decided to have a word with his father. She knew better than to get involved but looking into the boys eyes she had seen so much pain. The father had just looked at her and had walked away. Reaching his son he had turned back to look at her and she had seen his hand move to his sons crotch

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Son of a *****, Alex yelled and rushed forward punching the guy in the face unable to control that rage that she had been suppressing all night. The guy screamed grabbing his face and falling back. Then she looked at the boy and saw his frightened expression and she instantly wished she could take it back, but it was too late. She knew that she had just made things significantly worse. The writhing man on the floor wouldnt have the nerve to take out his anger and humiliation on her. He would take it out on the boy. Before she could reach out to the boy, she was surrounded by other doctors and nurses not knowing whether to protect the man or their colleague. Alex had a bit of a reputation for being a hothead and they didnt feel particularly inclined to get involved. They didnt have to because the Chief of Staff showed up on Alex right and dragged her with him. My office now, Dr. Roberts, his voice leaving no room for debate. Bullithead, as they so affectionately called him, started a tirade the moment they were in his office. Care telling me what that was all about?!, he practically bellowed at her. Alex just looked up at him and said, He was molesting his son. And thats reason to break his jaw?. Alex was surprised sometimes she really didnt know her own strength and a small sense of satisfaction started through her before thoughts of what that ***** would do to that boy could quash it. Well?, Bullithead continued, This is not how we do things here now you are going to go down there and apologize and Im going to try and make sure he doesnt sue our *****. When Alex didnt say anything, he sat down on the edge of his desk and added in a softer tone, Alright?. Alex just stared at the wall opposite. I cant do this anymore, she said barely a whisper and walked out of his office and out of the hospital, for good this time.

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Her mind flashed back to the look in the boys eyes. The fear she had seen there. The kind of fear that makes you crawl up into a little ball in the corner praying that he wont notice you. The kind of fear that literally makes you mess yourself. A lone tear trickled down her cheek. Suddenly she felt a warm hand touch her cheek. Opening her eyes Alex saw Shane looking at her with concern. Are you ok?. Yeah, Im fine, Alex replied hoarsely. Alex looked into Shanes eyes and felt the ground falling beneath her. Quite literally actually as the plane took off. She felt desire building up in her as she studied those beautiful eyes and those gorgeous lips. She lifted her right hand and brushed a stray wisp of hair from Shanes forehead. Her hand resting in the back of her neck. Suddenly she felt this raw need inside her to feel connected to someone. To feel connected to this woman who had her enthralled from the first moment they had met. She pulled her towards her and kissed her. Their lips touching tentatively at first.

Shane was caught off guard when Alex suddenly kissed her. But when their lips touched all thoughts of caution disappeared and Shane gave into her feelings. She licked Alex upper lip and then slipped her tongue inside. When their tongues touched Shane moaned and she put her arm around Alex waist her hand moving expertly beneath her shirt as Alex hand moved to Shanes inner thigh. Someone clearing their throat made the two pull apart. Would you like something to drink Ms.?, the stewardess asked sweetly with an obvious look of disapproval on her face. Shane merely shook her head. Uh, glass of water would be good, Alex replied hoarsely. When the stewardess had served her and moved on to the next passenger, Alex turned to Shane. Im sorry, she said, I dont know what I was thinking. I just. Before she could finish, Shane silenced her with another breathtaking kiss. Alex leaned into the kiss losing herself in the feel of this woman and then she pulled back. I dont know what this is, but theres just something about you, Shane spoke when Alex remained silent. Then Alex looked into Shanes eyes and softly she said, Im sorry Shane, I dont do relationships.

Shane felt like she had just been slapped. She turned away from Alex. An image of a perky blonde filled her mind before the irony of the situation hit her and she chuckled as she thought of all those times she had used the exact same line on one of her many one night *****. Neither of the two women spoke for the duration of the flight lost in their own thoughts.

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Their flight had landed at around noon on Heathrow airport and now Shane and Alex were waiting in the baggage claim area for their luggage. Why did you quit?, Shane suddenly asked Alex. Mmm truth or standard?, she asked. When she saw Shane looking at her with a puzzled look her face broke into a big smile and sighing she sat down next to Shane. When we, my brothers and sisters and I, were little we used to play this game. Come to think of it we still do, she mused for a moment before continuing, Standard gets you the easy answer the answer I think you want to hear. The truth on the other hand, well, gets you the truth. Quite often its definitely not what people want to hear. Alex shrugged. Weve been doing it for years. After a while it becomes a habit. Alex looked at Shane expectantly. Then suddenly she said, Truth, yeah man, truth. Alex nodded and quickly glanced at the monitors hanging over the baggage conveyor belts checking if their luggage was on the way yet. Hmmm I hate truth, Alex said. I suppose the truth is I was just tired. Ever since I was a kid I wanted to be a doctor. I wanted to help people. Give to society what society never bothered to give to me, Alex laughed a little bitterly. But when she turned her gaze to Shane her look softened. For a while things were going good. And I was thought of as a promising doctor. Then my daughter got sick. Shanes face fell. A daughter?. Yes, a beautiful little girl. Laetitia. She would have been four now. Alex nodded to herself. Yes, four. She could still picture her beautiful face. Hear her voice chattering away excitedly. She died about six months ago. Leukemia. Without thinking Alex reached for a cigarette before realizing she was in a no smoking area. Im sorry, Shane said placing her hand on Alex arm. After that it was harder for me to stay detached. I guess you could say I started caring. And every time a patient died it felt like losing her all over again, so I quit, Alex finished giving a slight shrug with her shoulders.

Before she realized what she was doing, Shane leaned forward and kissed Alex hard. She knew she shouldnt but all she wanted to do was make the pain leave her eyes. And this was the only way she knew how to offer some comfort. At first Alex tried to pull away but then she kissed her back their tongues meeting in a heated battle. Alex put her arms around Shanes neck as Shanes hands slid around Alex waist. There was so much need in both of them, it felt they were going to explode. Alex was the first to finally pull away. She breathed heavily her forehead touching Shanes. I dont want to hurt you, Shane, she said still struggling for breath. You wont, Shane said touching Alex cheek. Yes, I will, Shane. I always do, she said softly and pulled Shane into a hug never wanting to let go. For some reason she felt safe right there in the middle of a baggage claim area pressed against the heat of Shanes body. What was happening to her? She had never felt this good before with anybody. Not even Nicky. And she barely even knew this woman. It was as if she could feel what she felt.

Shane just held on tight not wanting to let go. What did she mean, she was going to hurt her. If anyone was going to hurt anyone, it would probably be her. The way she had hurt Lacey. And Clea. And that girl she had walked out on the other night. At that moment she knew she had to walk away. She didnt do relationships. And if she believed Alex, neither did she. What chance in ***** did they have? But instead of walking away she just held on tight to Alex warmth her arms unable to let go.

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At the same time in a grubby looking little office building in the middle of Soho a tall exotic looking brunette sat down behind her desk and crossed her legs. She turned on her computer to check her mail. Suddenly she cursed, Menaggia, miseria, and picked up the phone. What do you mean the latest shipment is late?!, she demanded angrily her voice a strange mixture of foreign accents. That is not an excuse. I will not tolerate disobedience, her voice gaining a dangerous edge. For a moment she was silent listening to the man on the other end of the line. Fix it! Capisci?, and she hung up.