"Time" After Time

Chapter 1: Awakening

Juniper awakened to the sounds of a hospital, "Paging Dr. Daneils, Dr. Daneils to the OR please..." she kept her eyes shut, unsure if she really wanted to see her new surroundings. She'd been so confident at home, but now, all alone -- she felt all her doubts creep back in, everyone talking about her move... Juniper, Juniper... you'll never do it... be on the street in less then a year...never make 5 years... The sound of the intercom snapped her back to reality.

"Nancy Wood, Wood... please report to the receptionist's desk." Someone giggled on the intercom. The sounds of some large doors being opened, and closed very quickly. The sound of people pushing plastic trays around the building's halls disrupted only by the sound of metal instruments clashing together as they rounded various corners.

Her bottom lip began to tremble and Juniper's body shook. She was so afraid that she'd get one of the time travelling sicknesses that she'd heard about. Apparently they caused complete paralysis; Being never able to walk again--a sniffle escaped her as she felt the pain of leaving her friends lance through her chest like a hot knife. Not being able to walk again, well she din't think she could take that. It would kill her!

She moved her legs and arms slightly, then wiggled her fingers and toes-- gaining a brief perspective of where she lay. She was situated on a narrow hospital bed, about 3 feet from the floor, it wasn't very wide--only a little wider then her shoulders but... wow was it comfortable, compared to the bed she'd had to sleep in for the past five years to quote, "Keep her posture straight." Best of all, she could move! No neurological problems for her! At least she hoped, so far, so good :)

Juniper wanted to know what was going on, what was happening to her?  But remained calm knowing that soon, someone would come and explain. They had to, it was a hospital, right??

Almost as soon as that thought crossed her mind the door opened and she looked towards the noise.

"Hey, hows it going?" a man in his mid-twenties asked. He had on a laminated name badge and blue scrubs. His voice was quiet and even toned, as if he knew the shock and confusion that was running through her mind at the moment.

"F-f-fine, Juniper stammered, she tried to read his name tag, "Dr. Dante.", yes, that was it! She wondered what his first name possibly was.

"So, you're our latest space immigrant... a bit young aren't you?" the doctor asked in a friendly manner.

"I'm 18!" Juniper snapped, who did he think he was....? Everyone treated her that way, just because her father was the rather famous Donald Leigh, discoverer of the Photon-Accelerator.   

"Sorry, sorry, I apoligize." Dr. Dante said in a reassuring tone, then more of his confidence reasserted itself, "I am to be your guild in this new world."

"Ummmm, so what does that mean?" Juniper asked. Feeling disorientated and more then a little panicked.

 "Well, for starters-- you'll have to stay at my place; until you find your own that is...and complete the climitizing phase of your introduction to this century." Dr. Dante told her.

At that statement Juniper took a closer look at the man,he was going to be her room-mate after all besides the generic appearance his uniform gave him. He had dark hair, so dark in fact that it was almost black-- accept for the strand of white which was a brilliant banner near his temple and he looked to have a strong build as well. Dr. Dante was probably well over 6 feet tall; compared to her own diminutive 5' 6".

"Sooooo, she asked feeling strangely intimidated, "What's your name?"

"I haven't told you that yet?" Dr. Dante looked very embarrassed,he shrugged his shoulders. "Well, uhhh, yeah-- my name is Nicolo, Nic for short- Juniper quickly cut him off-

"What now?, am I okay? Are there any tests which need to be run? My backpack?" Juniper blurted out all in a rush, her cheif concern to have her backpack in her hands once again.

Dr. Nicolo Dante looked around the room, carefully avoiding Juniper's eyes. "Well, there's one thing... I should have told sooner, It's about your transfer it seems it..." 

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"Your transfer Juniper-- it seems that when it occurred your actual term of stay was changed from 5 to 10 years. I hate to be the one to tell you this but... WELCOME TO THE YEAR 2000! Or, almost." Dr. Nic smiled ruely, "Instead of me being a experienced doctor, I'm only a twenty-four year old intern."

"Paging, paging Dr. Dante please report to OR 6..." the intercom bleeped out, "Oh, sorry. He looked at Juniper in a pleading way. "Here's a book detailing the process you have begun to go through. Read up!" He quickly passed a book to her and with that Dr. Dante, err uh- Nic left the room in a rush.

Juniper looked at the book, the title was... "

Everyone.. please comment; I need to think of a name for the book comment!!! xD