The Sapphire Pass: All-Father

The Day Before

Ophelia winced as James' personal physician strapped down her legs to add the adhesive removal solution. What she didn't know was that it could also burn on unbroken skin. Luckily she understood how to deal with pain.

She closed her eyes to concentrate on making the pounding in her head subside first and blocking out everything else. Focus on breathing. Air goes in, then goes out. Lungs fill with air and blows away the pain. She opened her eyes when the straps were finally removed and the clinical touches became softer, different.

James was carefully washing away all the left-over residue from the adhesive remover.

"All-Father, sir. I can do that myself," she said, trying to ignore the pain that moving to a sitting position caused. "Please, don't trouble yourself. Let me take care of it."

"Lay back, you're injured. I want to help you." James said sincerely.

Ophelia did as she was told while the All-Father tended to her wounds. Orion had been so wrong about him. If he could see him now, he would be embarrassed by his former thoughts and words. At the same time, she felt bad that he was taking care of her. He was the All-Father, tending to someone as lowly as she was when he had better things to do. It made her feel the same thing she felt when Othello died, guilt.

"I wanted to take you to one of the warehouses today," he said with a small smile, "but I guess that can wait for tomorrow okay? Since we can't do that I'll take you to my house and I will personally introduce you to some music, and movies. Maybe tomorrow your ankle will feel better?"

"That sounds wonderful, All-Father," she said with a yawn. "Could we eat first? I didn't have breakfast."

"That sounds like a great idea," he said, scooping her up again as she tried to stand, "No walking for at least the next 16 hours."

"Really 16 hours? He said that?" she asked.

"Okay, my orders then." he said with a wink.

"So that was the joke things you told me about?" Ophelia said as he carried her down to the ever waiting car.

"Good, yes it was. You're learning quickly." he said, patting her on the head. "Damn, I forgot, you wait here in the car I have to make a quick call before we head out, I'll be in my office for just a minute."

Ophelia watched him disappear back into the building and moved her head from side-to-side. Waiting, waiting...waiting. Finally, after about ten minutes she decided she would go see what the hold-up was because she was getting tired and her stomach was starting to protest even more.

"Yes, of course," James said smiling up at her as she came into his office before frowning, "I was just coming back down," he said wagging a finger in her direction. "You're going against doctors orders."

"Well your driver isn't much of a talker," Ophelia said half-jokingly.

"I hadn't noticed," James said, "Especially when I'm working or someone else is around."

"Should we go? My stomach is being very contrary. What would you prescribe for that Doctor James?" Ophelia said, pointing to the door.

His name from her voice sounded strange. A good strange. He wasn't used to hearing his name said and it stopped him in his tracks.

"Would you say that again?" he asked picking her up once again.

"Say what?"

"Doctor James."

"Oh no, I'm so sorry All-Father, I was trying to joke. Did I get it wrong? Did I offend you?"

"No."