Re: Say The Words - ch. 14 -- The Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman Fan Exchange

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Date Posted: 06:16:42 03/26/03 Wed
Author: dqfan
Subject: Re: Say The Words - ch. 14
In reply to: dqfan 's message, "Re: Say The Words - ch. 13" on 06:13:47 03/26/03 Wed

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Ezra had been putting up posters for hours now, zigzagging all over town until there wasn't an empty window or signpost anywhere. Rusty's Diner was his last stop. He promised Annie he'd be done before the dinner rush. So, perched on her only stepstool, with a roll of Scotch tape in his mouth, Ezra was frantically positioning his last poster in her window when he heard the door open from across the room.

"Hey, Peter," Ezra mumbled, his mouth full of tape.

"Ezra�" Peter greeted, not quite sure what to make of the situation. "Shouldn't you be working?"

"I am," Ezra continued, taking the roll out of his mouth as he taped down the last corner. "I'm finished�"

"Finished with what?" Peter was almost afraid to ask.

"Stephanie's had me hanging posters all day," Ezra explained. "This is my last one. I am free to go."

"Then, I'll drive you," Peter offered, knowing it would be quicker and safer than having Ezra wait for the bus. "I just need to grab my take-out order�"

"Annie left it for you on the counter," Ezra pointed. "She's upstairs helping Gracie with her homework."

"Thanks." Peter acknowledged, ringing his money into the cash register for his and Sophie's dinner tonight.

"So, what're the posters about?" Peter asked as he watched Ezra return Annie's stepstool back under the counter.

"A fundraiser we're having for the rest home," Ezra explained, not noticing Peter's smile upon hearing Ezra use the word "we."

"It's not until April 23rd but Stephanie wants to be sure we get a good crowd." Ezra reached for his jacket as he spoke.

"Crowd for what?" Peter was curious. Relaxed, he leaned back against the counter and poked his head inside the take-out bag. Hungrily, he took a whiff and casually snatched a french fry to munch on.

"The air show," Ezra answered, taking out a slightly torn poster from his pocket.

"Air show?" Instantly, Peter felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Hoping he was wrong, Peter straightened his stance and slowly unfolded the poster Ezra handed to him, reading quietly for himself�

"The Oakhaven Rest Home is proud to present the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds Flying Airborne Squadron 431, for a one-time special appearance in the skies over Agnes�2pm, April 23rd, Morgan's Field."

The next sentence told Peter all he needed to know�

"And, in his farewell appearance with the Snowbirds�Decorated pilot and world-famous parachutist, Lieutenant Commander Alexander Becker."

Shaken, Peter slumped back against a barstool as he let the announcement sink in�Sophie's father was coming to Agnes - one month before their wedding. Peter's mind reeled as he tried to absorb the implications.

Sophie was in a very fragile state right now, both physically and emotionally. She'd just had surgery and it would be weeks until her ankle was fully healed. Not only that, he and Sophie were still adjusting to their new living arrangements. Things were tentative at best. What would it do to her to discover that her father was coming? Now, of all times, when they finally seemed on the road to happiness�

Immediately, Peter thought the worst. What if Commander Becker's re-appearance brought back so many old memories, Sophie decided to run away again to escape her past? Sophie had told him that she and her father had been close, but that was before her mother's infidelity - and before Sophie found out she couldn't have children. Peter remembered the incredible sadness in Sophie's voice when she ultimately spoke of her father, that night at the old homestead. It was as if a door had closed and she never wanted to re-open it again.

Peter knew how that felt. He'd felt the very same way when he heard his father proclaim that, "he wished he had a son he could be proud of." Peter's only choice then had been to walk away. Still, after a time, he and his father had managed to forge a truce of sorts, even re-establish their connection in the moments before his death. Maybe Sophie could do that, too, Peter hoped guardedly.

If only he wasn't coming now. The timing couldn't be worse. Suddenly, an awful thought crossed Peter's mind�What if Sophie's father didn't even know she was here? What if he didn't want to see her?

"Maybe I should talk to him first?" Peter thought frantically. "Gauge his feelings. Then, break it gently to Sophie that he's coming."

But, should he do that? Hold off on telling her? There was always the chance she'd find out on her own�Ezra had placed these posters all over town.

Chances were, though, that Sophie wouldn't be going into town that much for the next month, at least until she healed sufficiently for a walking cast. Home and Horizon were about all she could manage without assistance. That would give him some time. If he could get in touch with her father first somehow�

Peter's head was spinning�Should he tell her or not? If he waited, it would be like keeping a secret. Secrets were dangerous�He'd told his students that often enough. Now, even though he'd only learned of the air show a few seconds ago, Peter already felt like any path he took, any decision he made, could be the wrong one - the one that would send Sophie out of his life forever.

This was all so out of the blue�so unexpected. What was it his fortune cookie had said? "Expect the unexpected." Well, this was definitely more than he had bargained for. He needed time to think. Time to decide. Time to make sure Sophie wasn't hurt - so badly this time that she'd never love or trust again. The possibilities swirled with such force inside Peter's head, he felt like he was a million miles away, lost in the desert in the middle of a raging sandstorm and he couldn't see his way out. So lost, that Peter nearly ignored Ezra's voice, for the third time�

"Peter? You okay?"

"Huh? What? Oh yeah," Peter mumbled, still staring at the sheet of paper. "Mind if I keep this?" he asked.

Then, without waiting for Ezra's affirmative reply, Peter stuffed the poster into his jacket pocket and sighed softly, "C'mon, let's go�"

^^^^^^^^^^^^

"So, then, Daisy was going to tell their fortunes�" Ezra was taking advantage of the ride home to breezily recount his day's activities to a totally oblivious Peter.

"Daisy?" Peter repeated. His mind was a jumble of what-ifs.

"Yeah, I told you," Ezra groaned, sensing a conversation with Peter tonight was hopeless. "Kat said it'd be all right if Daisy came out to Oakhaven. I wanted her to meet this really strange couple. But Daisy took the bus back to Horizon before I could catch up to her. I can't wait to hear what happened."

"Happened?" Peter just couldn't focus on anything but that poster.

"With the couple," Ezra emphasized.

"The couple?" Peter's repetition of Ezra's every word was beginning to drive Ezra crazy, especially since it reminded him so much of his encounters with the mysterious twosome.

"Peter, are you okay?" Ezra couldn't hide his concern.

"Yeah, sure," Peter forced a smile, realizing how strange his behavior must seem. "Just have a few life decisions on my mind�"

"Pre-wedding jitters," Ezra intoned direly. "Didn't think they happened so soon."

"Guess you can wonder about your life's direction any time," Peter replied thoughtfully.

Suddenly, Ezra blurted out something that had been on his mind all day. "Speaking of life directions�Peter, what would you think if I applied to some colleges?"

"I think that would be a great idea," Peter nodded with approval. Already, it seemed Ezra's time at Oakhaven had done wonders for his self-confidence.

"What made you change your mind?" Peter wondered, trying to focus on Ezra's life instead of his own.

"I really like medicine�I mean, well, you know I have an extensive knowledge of hallucinogens�" Ezra grinned. "But I like helping people and the old lady today really seemed to think I had potential�"

"I'm going to have to meet her," Peter thought out loud. "She sounds very special�"

"She's weird," Ezra warned, then added gently, "but she is kind of special�"

"Here we are," Peter announced, stopping his truck at Horizon's main entrance.

"Night, Peter," Ezra said, closing the door as he headed off to find Daisy. "Take it easy, okay?" he worried.

"Sure," Peter nodded, winking, "Anything you say, Doc�"

^^^^^^^^^^

Even before her surgery, settling into a routine hadn't been easy for Peter and Sophie. Now, it was virtually impossible. They probably should have been better at it, considering Sophie had just broken her leg when they first met, all those years ago in Seattle. But they'd had no responsibilities then - no home, no wedding, no Horizon. It was just the two of them, alone on Vashon Island, with all the time in the world - for Sophie to heal physically, Peter to heal emotionally, and both of them to find love.

All day Sophie had tried to feel more at home. Once she'd adjusted to being on crutches, she straightened the house, which badly needed straightening; since, from the looks of things, Peter's idea of putting something away was draping it over the nearest chair.

She unpacked a few more of her mementos - trinkets and tokens she'd acquired on her travels. Then, in an unexplainable fit of domesticity, she even tried her hand at that stupid fondue set, following the instructions with exact precision. And, though, contrary to all the exaggerated claims certified on the box, the melted cheese tasted no smoother or creamier to her than it might have from the stovetop, Sophie was thrilled with her culinary success. So thrilled, she'd even been the model patient and taken a small nap to ease her ankle as prescribed.

Now, she was rested, hungry and more than a little desirous to hold Peter in her arms.

"You're home late," Sophie welcomed Peter with a very deep, inviting kiss. "I missed you�"

"Missed you, too," Peter echoed, yet he pulled away much sooner than Sophie had hoped.

"I brought take-out," Peter mumbled half-heartedly.

"Oh, I made fondue�all by myself," Sophie announced proudly.

"Well, you should've told me, Soph," Peter snapped for no reason other than he couldn't bear right now to have her look at him with love in her eyes.

"Well, I'm sorrry," she sighed, sensing this evening was not getting off to a good start.

"We can have both, you know�a nice leisurely dinner by the fire�" Sophie's voice was low and seductive as she attempted to revive the mood.

"Sure," Peter agreed with little enthusiasm. "I'll go change�"

Soon, Sophie heard Peter call her name from the bedroom. His tone was decidedly unhappy. "Sophie!"

"What is all this?" Peter demanded, pointing to an unusual array of female figurines lined along the top of his dresser.

"I unpacked a few more of my things today," Sophie explained quietly, trying not to overreact. "You said I should take the time, since I'm home anyway, to make the house more 'ours.'"

"I know�but�they're�" Peter groped for the right word.

"They're my girls�" Sophie nodded proudly.

"Your girls�?" Peter repeated as he stared at the wide assortment of feminine beauty depicted in various colors made of clay, porcelain and wood.

"Well, everyone collects something," Sophie rationalized. "I've just been more places than most. Some people collect frogs, some people collect clowns�"

"And you collect?" Peter still had no clue as to who or what these strange women were.

"I collect�" Sophie hesitated, wishing Peter had been in better spirits to welcome the statues properly. "Goddesses of wisdom�"

"Goddesses of wisdom?" Peter was incredulous. As if his day hadn't been bad enough already�

"This is Athena, she's Greek, of course," Sophie introduced them one by one. "Then there's Minerva, who's Roman; Neit from Egypt; Snotra from Scandinavia; Saraswati - she's Hindu; and, Brahmi.

Brahmi?" Peter waited patiently for her origin to be revealed.

"Sanskrit�" Sophie shrugged innocently.

"What about this one?" Peter asked, lifting an icon Sophie had failed conspicuously to introduce. She looked slightly different from the others - a little fuller figure - a little more voluptuous�Peter was intrigued.

Sophie raised her eyebrows and shook her head, bracing for the inevitable. "That's Chuang-Mu. She's a tribute to my poor Chinese language skills. I thought I was asking for the goddess of wisdom�but instead I got Chuang-Mu�"

As Sophie began her tale of woe, Peter found himself paying less attention to Sophie's words than to her demeanor. Sophie's eyes lit up - her whole face lit up - as she told the story. Even on crutches, she was filled with such energy, such vitality, that her beauty radiated from within and seemed to grow more dazzling the longer he looked at her.

Peter stood mesmerized by her incomparable charms. He'd never loved anyone the way he loved Sophie Becker, and he knew he never would. Whatever he decided to do about Sophie's father, he couldn't hurt her. He just couldn't�

"So Chuang-Mu is�?" Peter hoped he'd been following along...There was this Chinese market and Sophie had been invited into one of the shops for tea, and it would have been impolite to refuse - after all, it wasn't their fault her Chinese was a little rusty�

"Chuang-Mu is�" Sophie's voice dropped and she bit her tongue to keep from grinning too broadly, "The Chinese goddess of the�bedroom."

Suddenly, Peter found Chuang-Mu slightly more interesting than the other figurines. "Bedroom? As in�?" Peter didn't even try to hide his grin.

"She's the goddess of physical pleasure�all right! Happy?!" Sophie placed her hands firmly on her hips, refusing to let Peter derive so much satisfaction from her one little linguistic error.

"Yes," Peter stated puckishly. "Chuang-Mu can stay. The rest�I don't know�" he shook his head with a mock frown.

"Oh, you'll learn to love them, I promise," Sophie assured him gleefully. "Look they already love you�"

"They're staring at me, Soph. It gives me the creeps to have that many women staring at me," Peter shivered uncontrollably.

"And here I thought you enjoyed having women stare at you," Sophie teased, her hands reaching up to lovingly caress the base of his neck.

"Woman," he corrected in a whisper. Taking Sophie's hands by the wrists, Peter bestowed a soft, gentlemanly kiss adoringly on the back of each hand. "Just one..." he reminded her.

Peter watched as Sophie closed her eyes, relishing his words and his touch. He wanted so much to take her in his arms right now, to mold her body to his and make her feel his love - strongly enough that he could tell her anything�tell her that her father was coming to Agnes. But, he couldn't do it. He couldn't risk hurting her ankle and he couldn't risk breaking her heart.

So, instead, Peter quickly brought the conversation back to the less controversial figurines. "Why wisdom?" he asked with a crooked grin.

"That's easy," Sophie explained shyly. "Sophie�the name means wisdom."

Peter smiled lovingly as Sophie continued, a bit self-consciously, "Course I never felt very wise so I thought a little extra help couldn't hurt�"

"You're a very wise woman, Sophie Becker," Peter complimented sincerely. "The girls can stay�" he nodded approvingly.

Oh, goody!" Sophie cheered, deciding to press her luck with another sore subject. "Now about my game of Twister�"

"I am not playing Twister!" Peter was adamant. "Not that you can with that ankle, anyway�Hmmm, I knew there was something positive about you breaking it�" Peter mused tauntingly, to Sophie's fiercest stare.

"Oh, and there isn't any game you like to play, Sparky?" Sophie walked toward the closet and pulled out something she'd discovered in her cleaning.

"That is not a game!" Peter raged at the comparison. "That is a mind challenge exercise."

"Clue? Colonel Mustard in the kitchen with a knife? That challenges your mind?" Sophie was laughing so hard she was having difficulty balancing her crutches.

"Ow!" she wobbled uncontrollably, laughing and crying at the same time until her ankle began to ache.

"Sit down before you kill yourself," Peter warned cautiously. "Careful or you might never be able to play Twister again�"

With a smirk, Peter put his arms around Sophie's shoulders and helped her sit comfortably on the edge of the bed. Plopping down beside her, Peter unexpectedly recalled Sophie's requirement that they should become friends first, this time in their relationship. Suddenly it struck him that they had. Sophie was pure fun and she brought out the fun in him, too. They were good together in every way possible. Not only was she his friend, she was his best friend. Remembering the information he was keeping from her, Peter envisioned just how empty his house and his life would be if Sophie's laughter no longer filled the air.

Forcing himself back to the present, Peter gestured toward the army of goddesses overseeing his bedroom, and asked quizzically, "So�What does Peter mean?"

Don't you know?" Sophie was surprised Peter hadn't figured it out by now.

Peter shook his head, imagining all sorts of hideous possibilities until�

Reaching out to him, Sophie began tracing her fingers along every detail of Peter's face: his high forehead�his strong cheekbones�his full, warm lips.

Peter gulped and exhaled sharply, lowering his eyes as Sophie's touch set his body on fire.

"You're my rock, Peter," Sophie knew the phrase never failed to seduce him.

Then, sensing he still didn't fully understand, Sophie gently lifted Peter's chin until their eyes locked. With her lips barely brushing his, she whispered against him, "The name Peter�it means rock."

"Soph�" Peter moaned, momentarily succumbing to the passion of her ensuing kiss.

"Sophie� I� There's something I've got to tell you�" he breathed, deciding there could be no secrets between them.

The sharp, intruding ring of the telephone instantly broke the mood, giving Peter just enough time to reconsider his words.

"Don't answer it," Sophie pleaded, her lips still lingering against his cheek.

"Pete! Pete, are you there? Pick up! It's Frank�" the answering machine bellowed.

"Yeah, Frank�I'm here�" Dazed, Peter stumbled to the receiver.

"Uh-huh, okay, I'll be there in ten minutes," Peter sighed, catching his breath.

Turning toward Sophie, Peter explained wearily, "Boiler room's flooded - Frank says it's bad."

Then, deciding he just couldn't face her again tonight, Peter added quietly, "I'll be late�Don't wait up�"

Sophie bit her lip and nodded imperceptibly. Frustrated, she slumped back against the pillows, knowing that he had to go.

Quickly, Peter turned away from the bed and the disappointment etched on Sophie's face. This evening hadn't turned out the way either of them would have wanted.

As Peter was leaving, his eyes fell once again on the many goddesses from around the world. So many different cultures - so much wisdom. Silently, Peter prayed that one of them would tell him the right thing to do�

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Replies:

Re: Say The Words - ch. 15 & 16 -- dqfan, 06:19:30 03/26/03 Wed
- Re: Say The Words - ch. 17 & 18 -- dqfan, 06:28:25 03/26/03 Wed
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