Passover: Act 1, Scene 4
Present Day: Seacouver- The Hospital Canteen
The good doctor sat at her individual table in the hospital restaurant, glad that there was a lull in the hectic schedule of the ER to allow her time for a break, but at the same time, a little at a loss for what to do. It wasn't often that she could stray far from the fold, even with her beeper, usually she got to the point of ordering coffee at the canteen and then it would be left standing on the counter. This time she'd sat with it, staring at it, even giving it time to cool down before she drank it, choosing to gaze around at the world as she did so. The hospital's public restaurant was always a busy place, whatever the hour of day or night, always someone wanting at least a drink. Not many doctors hung around here, it was mainly a place for the patrons of the establishment, but the coffee was better than the vending machine in the ER, and Anne found she enjoyed the walk, even if she never got to finish the drink.
The woman glanced around at the varied faces close by, some looked worried, people with loved ones under hospital care, she could tell them easily from the deep frowns and lost stares. As one woman chanced to glance her way as she rested on her too long, the doctor smiled and quickly returned her gaze to her cup. The liquid smelt good, but ironically enough, now she was sat down with it, she found she wasn't thirsty. Anne shrugged to herself, maybe she was just too tired to care; it had been a long shift and she was looking forward to heading home to Mary in - she checked her watch and sighed - two more hours. Funny how time flew by when she was busy, but when she had time to think about her little one waiting for her at home the minutes dragged past. Despite not wanting it, Anne sipped her coffee.
"Hallo," a thick Scots accent close to her ear made the doctor jump.
The woman shifted rapidly round in her seat, and a body stepped out of the way of her elbow. She looked up, startled by the interruption of her musings and squinting into the light from a window. Anne took a moment to adjust, but then a familiar face came into view. Corinth was smiling in the same charming manner he had used the day before, and she relaxed.
"Corinth, hello," she breathed, returning the smile, "I'm sorry, you made me jump."
"I think neither of us expected to see the other so soon," the man burred.
"No," Anne responded, still a little dazed, and then she remembered her manners and invited, "please, sit down."
"Thank ye," Corinth nodded cordially and took the seat opposite.
They looked at each other for a moment, Anne wondering what to say next to this relative stranger; she held the smile, feeling a little awkward. Eventually she began blandly, "So what brings you here?"
"Business," was the cryptic reply. "And ye, when Duncan introduced ye as a doctor, I didnae realize he meant the hospital."
"I'm a trauma surgeon," the woman informed him.
"A difficult job for anyone, but a woman alone with a child, it must be a challenge," her companion observed, sitting back in his seat and watching her with a gaze that was almost too heavy for comfort.
"Mary and I manage," Anne answered with a non-committal shrug, she didn't know this man well enough to start digging too deeply into her personal life. "I have an excellent baby-sitter, and I have friends who help out if I need them."
"Duncan is one of them?" Corinth put the lilt of a question into his tone, but it was almost a statement.
"From time to time," the doctor replied, stopping herself from qualifying her relationship with the Highlander to this man to whom it was disarmingly easy to talk.
"He cares very much for the wee girl," the man observed, a strange look in his eye. "I know how I felt about my son, Jamie, blood nay mattered."
"He's very good with her," Anne returned noncommittally, not answering the insinuation that went with the statement - Duncan was a difficult topic at the best of times, and now did not feel like the right time to be explaining the complicated past. "Jamie, I'm sure you were very proud of him."
"I didnae have time to be proud of the boy before he was murdered in battle," Corinth snapped suddenly, the charm all but disappearing.
The woman wondered into what she had gotten herself; Immortal psyches were places she didn't want to be, and the complete change in her companion made her wary. The shock must have shown on her face, because the man softened with a deliberate effort. There was that smile again, but somehow it didn't quite cover the bitterness as he apologized, "I'm sorry, Anne, 'tis a fresh wound still, even after all these years. I think ye never quite forget those ye love."
"No, I'm sure," Anne agreed nervously, glad she was in a crowded restaurant; why didn't her beeper ever sound when she wanted it to?
"I have scared ye," Corinth was the observant type, or maybe she just wasn't too good at hiding her feelings, Anne didn't know which, but the Immortal was staring at her in that close way again.
The woman started as in one smooth movement, the man leant forward and laid a hand on her arm. His grip was strong, not quite uncomfortable, but firm enough to know she couldn't pull away easily. Anne leant back as he bent further across the table, bringing his face close to hers. Corinth smiled, but it wasn't so friendly this time, not now his eyes were so near, she could see the spark of something nasty at the back of them.
"I won't hurt ye," the man whispered, as if it was meant to be a comfort, "I bear ye nae grudge."
Anne remained silent, unsure what to say. She could not hide her relief as her associate released her. His chair slid noisily backwards as he rose from the seat. The woman just stared up at him.
"Good-bye, Anne Lindsey, I hope to be seein' ye again," he bowed with formality that wasn't so charming anymore, and then turned on his heel.
Anne watched him go, waiting for her senses to catch up with her, stunned by the encounter. A high-pitched beep sent the woman a foot into the air and rich, brown liquid spread all over the table.