A Little Too Much, A Little Too Deep

Chapter 7

A few days after sparring with Dimitri I decided it was time to make a choice with Dr. Carson, so here I am sitting in the waiting room at the crack of dawn to meet with him.

"Good morning, Guardian Hathaway. I'm glad to see you," he says as he strolls into the waiting room with a large smile on his face. He beckons me to follow him and walks into his office. I sit down on the couch on one side of the coffee table and he sits on the other, holding my file in his hands.

"So have you given any thoughts on what you would like to do? The sooner we start, the sooner you can go back to guardian duties."

"Yes. As much as I want to go back to my duties, I need to put my health first. I've decided that I'm going to leave Court for a bit, maybe travel with my father to Russia and Turkey. I think a little distance will help. I also think that the same method your sister used would work better for me. Even if it's just writing how I'm feeling periodically throughout the day," I explain shifting in my seat. I was informed yesterday that I wouldn't be able to even return to desk duty until I had been cleared by Dr. Carson that I was no longer at risk to myself. That also means I couldn't have my stake back.

He smiles and writes down my decisions and then walks over to his desk and opens a few drawers, pulling out slips and a small notebook. He comes back over and fills out the slips and signs it, then hands it over to me along with the notebook.

"I need you to sign this form and then bring it to the guardian head office. It allows you to leave Court and that you will be given paid leave for four weeks. This should prevent any problems when you leave. This notebook is for you to use for your therapy. When you get back, I would like to look it over to monitor your progress. On the first page is my number and email for emergency purposes. I hope that you take this time to relax and heal Rose," he replies candidly with a grin on his face. "I'll see you in a few weeks," he says standing up and I follow him to the door and shake his hand. I give him my thanks and walk out of the hospital.

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"When I said I wanted to meet for breakfast, I didn't mean you needed to rent out the whole place," I say as I slide into the booth across from Abe and roll my eyes as I take in his attire. A mint green suit with a white silk dress shirt and a lilac purple scarf. He grins at me and twists the gold ring on his smallest finger. I look around and notice that we are not the only ones in here. Pavel and another of Abe's guardian's sit a few tables over drinking coffee.

"I did no such thing, little girl. We just happen to be the only ones here this morning. After all, how many moroi do you see eating in a dhampir diner?"

I shrug and look over the menu before deciding on French toast before closing it.

"How are you?" I ask him, noticing that the bags under his eyes have disappeared. He takes a sip of his black coffee as the waitress walks up to us and we order. As she walks back towards the kitchen, he clears his throat.

"I am good, but the important question is how you are. I noticed that you still have not been put back on active duty," he notes, waving a hand up and down in my direction. Leave it to Abe to be subtle as a heart attack.

"I'm getting better, and no I'm not back on duty yet. Which is why I wanted to talk to you. You brought up to Dr. Carson that leaving court would be beneficial," I say, shrugging my shoulders. He leans back in his seat and strokes his goatee, waiting for me to continue.

"So, I think that maybe getting out of court would be good. I want to go back to Russia. But I also thought that maybe I would visit Turkey. You know, visit my roots," I tell him nonchalantly while taking a sip of my over-sugared coffee. The looks that crossed his face were a perfect Kodiak moment. Shock crosses his face first, and then astonishment and lastly, a little bit of joy.