Rating: T (Teen): Some language; an adult scene

Notes Part 1: This story contains parts of “A New Beginning” (DC 2.01), taking place in January 1992.

Notes Part 2: The characters from House MD belong to Universal and their copyright holders. Gabrielle is from “Xena Warrior Princess” which belongs to StudiosUSA and MCA. All other characters are fictitious and belong to me. Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com.



Introduction

Gabrielle, Bard-Queen of the Amazons, writes….

While busy with the Amazon queenship, there are events that require attention. In light of the goddess’ revelations, David, Angela and Lisa Cuddy have requested that I go back and revise the New Beginning scroll yet again, including those details that were overlooked or obscured by the Empress’ spell.

Speaking as a friend, I am glad that David and Angela did find each other…..




Chapter 1 [Faerie Realms]

The Faerie Empress watched her mist view portal extra carefully. In the months since Deirdre’s death and burial on the Dark Isle, she concerned herself with two things. First, she wanted to know if her spell had worked this time--that the world had forgotten about the renegade priestess…and David Dubois for that matter. Secondly, she wanted to ascertain that Dubois kept to his word and hadn’t mentioned her since the spell’s casting.

Fortunately, on both counts, those items worked in her favor.

The less people know, the better especially if I can keep him from those places which provoke the Child. She saw Nai-Jin enter. “What news?”

“For now, your curtain of anonymity shall protect the secrets. Such a cloak, however, cannot remain in place forever,” the seeress declared. “With the prophecies intact, the dark forces will eventually hunt the boy and those around him once more.”

“As long as we’ve bought time to let the goddess’ designs work as they should,” the Elf Queen supposed. “Does the girl remember anything of her encounters with the darkness?”

“Not a thing. For that matter, the slate has been wiped clean in her mind where the young man is concerned. There is nothing to keep Fate from unwinding as it should,” Nai-Jin told her. You are still too vain. The goddess did speak to Deirdre and David Dubois as well as to you. Unlike you, they did not let their pride get in the way.

“Very good. May the peace last,” the Empress expressed, hoping for some deliverance from the troubles that had recently plagued her and the priestess order as a whole.




Chapter 2 [Columbia, SC--January 17, 1992]

Angie sat at her computer, typing up a report for her last round of clinic duty. In the months since her departure from Detroit, she had endeavored to get all that she could from her new boss, Dr. Ron Ratmond, a specialist in the type of Angie’s research areas. Whenever she could, she buried herself in the journal literature, hoping to forget how empty life could be down there. Dr. Ratmond’s a genius but he’s ready to retire!

She sighed, recalling how much she had enjoyed working with the team at Detroit Mercy. I miss them. She frowned. Well except for House. She grimaced at the thought of the diagnostician. I wish that man would get a serious clue!

Hearing the others laughing warmly in the hallway, she stood and looked out of her office door. The other residents went out every Friday night but had never bothered to ask her to come with them. They can have their parties! She slumped back into her chair and put the last corrections in the latest proof of an article for a leading medical journal. There! She smiled in satisfaction, knowing at least that her vita was fatter than the others by that point. Lisa and I pushed each other hard enough for the past three years.

She noticed the purple flyer in her door. Grabbing it, she read about the upcoming residents’ conference in San Antonio, Texas. I hate to move again after just getting here. I just want to be in a supportive place! What would they think?

At that point, the phone rang. “Oncology. This is Dr. Blackwell.”

“Hi, Angie. This is Lisa Cuddy. How are you doing?” Lisa wondered.

Angie’s face lit up at the sound of her former roommate’s voice. “Hi! I’m hanging in there. How’s Princeton?”

“It’s great albeit overwhelming! You should try being America’s youngest Chief of Medicine,” Lisa informed her. “Listen, umm, I heard about Ratmond’s impending retirement. That’s weird that Rivers didn’t know about that.”

“Tell me about it,” Angie concurred. “And there’s nobody else for me to work with here. I never thought I’d miss Detroit that much.”

“We had interested colleagues there. Actually, we could be again if you’re interested,” Lisa alluded.

“Excuse me?” Angie wondered.

“We need an oncology resident here at PPTH. Dr. Mathers likes your work. Tell you what, are you going to San Antonio for the residents’ conference?” Lisa noted.

“It looks tempting but I have so much going on here….”

“Right. I’ll be there representing my hospital. Why don’t we get together and talk for a while? If you come, I can guarantee you an interview,” Lisa offered. Knowing that her friend’s pulse just went up, she added, “Trust me; the other applicants don’t have half the vita you do, Angie. Look, I have to go but just think on it. Call me if you change your mind, okay?” Lisa concluded. “Nice talking to you.” With that, she hung up.

Angie bit her lip. She had so much work to catch up on…but the conference sounded great too. Especially if there were opportunities to be had. A glance at the clock, however, told her she was late. “Goodness me!” She grabbed her coat and rushed toward her car.


****

[Montoya Apartment--7:00 PM]

Angie parked in the guest lot of a wood and maroon brick condo complex. She put her head back against the top of her seat. I wish I knew what I wanted to do! She got out of her used car after remembering her change in clothes in the back seat and scratching her head. Only a month after her arrival, Karen and Michael Montoya, two of her college classmates, took jobs in the same hospital and purely by coincidence. Despite the fact that he was her ex-boyfriend, she felt comfortable being around the couple. She climbed the stairs and knocked on her friends’ door.


****

Karen got up from the chair where she had been sitting and watching the news. Looking through the peek hole, she saw Angie nervously smile and wave.

“Hi, Karen. Did I come at a bad time?” she asked shyly.

“No. Come right in! We’re waiting for you. How did everything go today?” the hostess inquired courteously.

Angie smiled. “Okay, I guess. You know what it’s like—the usual hectic pace.”

Karen agreed, “Indeed, I do. Did you just get off?”

The guest nodded, looking at her scrubs and holding up a shopping bag. “Can I use the bathroom to freshen up and change…if that’s okay that is?”

Mike looked up and indicated, “Sure. You know where it is.”

“Thanks!” Angie called, the anxiousness still in her voice. While she needed to clean up, she really had wanted to go home first so that she wouldn’t impose on her friends. Ah well. It’ll only take a minute. Once inside the room, she opened the bag and produced a burgundy blouse and a black pair of jeans. As she changed, she stared into the full-length mirror in front of her. Hair’s out of place, she noted, brushing her chocolate brown locks. After washing her face, she felt almost human again.

A minute later, she rejoined her friends. “Sorry to keep dinner waiting,” she apologized.

“No problem. Sit…be merry,” Karen advised.

They all sat down at the oak table and dug into the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, salad and peas on it. The conversation floated around work topics, every day things and such matters.

Finally, Mike raised the question to Angie. I hope she doesn’t take this the wrong way. “How’s everything else going? You’ve been really quiet.”

Angie winced and shrugged. “We—ell, other than work, everything’s really slow.”

“Why is that?” Karen inquired. “Granted, we’ve had it busier than usual, but have you been out lately? Sorry to pry, but…”

Angie waved her hand at them and shook her head. “It’s okay.” She sighed, “I have been going out and trying to meet people, but you know the bar scene and the clubs…it seems like every guy’s a jerk. I wish I could meet someone nice and well…hold onto him this time. Sorry, Karen.”

“That’s all right. I know what you meant,” Karen assured her, giving Mike’s hand a squeeze even as she rubbed her guest’s shoulder. “Aren’t there any nice guys where you work?”

“Sure. But I don’t want to get in trouble with his wife,” she cracked, looking at her ex.

Karen rolled her eyes and giggled, “I meant other than Mike.”

Angie shook her head.

Mike cleared his throat. The others on staff thought that Angie was a little too mousy for her own good and made a point to avoid her. "Did you see that sign for the residents’ conference in San Antonio next month?”

She nodded glumly. “It was in my box tonight. I got a surprise call from Lisa Cuddy. She‘ll be there too.”

“So, why don’t you go?” he asked.

Karen grinned and added, “Yes. If nothing else, it’ll be a nice change of scenery for you and I hear the Riverwalk is beautiful.”

Angie considered this for a moment. “You could be right. Okay! I’ll go. Do you mind if I make a call? Lisa‘s expecting it.” She had a calling card in hand.

“Go ahead,” Karen encouraged with a smile.

Angie nodded and dialed her friend’s number.

“Dr. Cuddy,” Lisa answered.

“Lisa, it’s Angie Blackwell. I wanted to let you know I’ll be at the conference. Let’s get together there,” Angie concurred.

“That’d be great. And I’ll put you down for that interview. The department chair somehow found a copy of your resume. I wonder how that happened?”

Angie blushed. I know. She shook her head but knew it was a great opportunity. “It’ll be a great opportunity either way, Lisa. Thanks again.”

“My pleasure. See you next month. Take care, Angie,” Lisa concluded while hanging up.

Angie managed a smile.

“Wow. That’s better. What’d she have to say?” Mike inquired.

“Not only am I going to the conference but…well, keep this under wraps?” When they both nodded, she continued, “She arranged for me to interview for the residency at Princeton.”

“No kidding? That’s great!” Karen cheered. “You see? Have some confidence. Now how about some coffee?”

“Sounds great!” Angie felt herself relax. Let’s hope my luck continues.




Chapter 3
[Scituate, MA--the next day]

Dave stared into space out in front of the Alvarez household, still feeling numb by the events of the past three years. While he had earned his doctorate and managed to actively hunt for jobs, his heart remained heavy. He ached from Deirdre’s and Penelope’s deaths as well as the circumstances surrounding them.

Making matters worse, he couldn’t talk to anyone about the situation due to the Empress’ spell. I wonder how many other guys are in this situation? He knew the next visit to their grave wouldn’t be until summer’s end.

Ya ain’t ’lone, Bro.

[“How could I forget?”] Dave asked sarcastically. As I asked earlier…. Thanks to Deirdre, he knew about his schizophrenia. Still, it wasn’t easy to deal with his moods and look for positions.

I guess I’m lucky that Karen’s parents still allow me into the house, he mused, sipping on his coffee.

During this period of social decline for him, her family and their friends kept his spirits up, trying to intercede on several occasions, but without much luck.

“Hey, Crash! Throw the ball!” Rick bellowed at him.

Dave stirred himself back to reality and threw a pea at him. “Sorry. I was just thinking.”

Brooding, you mean. “Hey, what did you think of that party last night?” Rick asked, snapping the ball out of the air with a fluid motion of his glove.

Dave’s mind flashed back to the previous evening. His friends had taken him along to the “Iron Horse”, the latest club to open on the Boston night scene full of jostling bodies and flashing strobe lights. For that evening, his feet came to life, moving instinctually to the music. In fact, he wrapped himself up in the beat much as a caterpillar does in its cocoon.

His friends sat amazed and happy to watch him like this, hoping that he would be like this more often, and promising themselves that they would get him back there again.

“It was fun.” Dave shrugged while taking the next throw.

Rick stared into his eyes. “You still look good on the floor, but I can tell that you-know-who is still on your mind.”

“How?” Dave asked, a puzzled look on his face, wondering if the Empress‘ spell was falling apart already.

“Well, even though you were out on the floor for several slow dances, you weren’t paying attention. Do you know how many girls asked you on the floor last night?”

Dave shook his head, but decided to humor his friend. “No…how many?”

“Try four of them,” Charles Alvarez, Karen’s brother, interjected as he walked up behind them. “You know, Dave, you don’t give yourself enough credit.”

Dave sighed. Here comes the lecture again. Within his head, the old headache reared up again. “Like they think I’m worth it.”

Charles and Rick exchanged tired looks before the latter rolled his eyes, grabbed Dave and shook him. “That’s it! Look, Dave, will you listen to us?”

Dave shook, trying to break the other’s grip. Once again, he felt his head going numb. Finally, he freed himself and exclaimed, “Damn it! I come out here to pitch and burn off some steam but now everyone’s telling me what to do! I’m going inside! I don’t need this!”

“Oh no you don’t!” Charles stated as he grabbed the other’s arm. “We’ve been letting you brood too long and not encourage you to try something new.”

“So, what should I do, Genius?” Dave inquired nervously, feeling his head pounding.

“For one thing, stop mourning over Karen. There are other girls out there,” Rick noted.

“I’ve never known you to quit,” Charles continued. “Take a chance. You might surprise yourself.” A smile formed on his face.

“You think…I can do it?” Dave queried skeptically, trying to keep his composure and play along with what they were thinking. I can’t believe they think this is about Karen. The Empress must be having quite a ball over this!

“As the saying goes, ‘Do or Do not. There is no try’,” Rick advised.

Charles jumped right in, not giving his friend an opening to leave. “That’s right! Hey, you have got to do something. Otherwise, the family’s going to go insane along with you.”

Dave scratched his head, considering the others’ advice. “I could take a trip. The library conference is in San Antonio next month.”

His friends nodded and replied in unison, “There’s the ticket!”




Chapter 4 [A month later--San Antonio, TX]

In a planning nightmare (or perhaps a twist put in by the Faerie Empress), the ALA Midwinter Conference and the Residents’ Conference ended up sharing the convention center and fighting over the hotel space for meetings and workshops. As they were different people, both sides kept to themselves within the facility.


****

[Marriott Hotel Downtown]

Lisa walked off the elevator briskly and checked her watch. Even though both she and Angie were open that morning, the last thing she wanted was to be late. Good! I’m about seven minutes early. She looked back up at the third floor where she knew House was staying. Another reason to schedule this breakfast early. I don’t want him screwing things up. She straightened her blazer and surveyed the room. Seeing the anxious brunette resident enter the building, she waved.

Angie breathed a sigh of relief and headed over to her friend. “Hi!”

“Hi, yourself,” Lisa replied with a smirk as they embraced. “It’s good to see you. Are you having fun yet?”

“Not really,” Angie lamented while shaking her head. “I tried to go out last night. The Riverwalk was really nice.”

“It sure is especially when it’s lit up like that,” Lisa concurred. “Come on; let’s get something to eat. Don’t worry; it’s on me.”

“Lisa, I shouldn’t!” Angie protested.

“For the hours I still owe you from Mercy, this’ll get a few back. The stuffed French toast is great and I know you like that,” Lisa urged.

“Okay, okay. I can go for that,” Angie concurred as they found a table in the hotel’s dining area. “When this interview?”

“Tomorrow at 11. Right after, PPTH is sponsoring a lunch for doctors and residents at the Hyatt. You’re on the guest list. By the way, do you know James Wilson? He’s also coming,” Lisa explained.

“He and I took most of our classes together. Nice guy but he’s not my type,” Angie reported.

“Angie, what type of guy’s your type anyhow? You’ve never had a boyfriend as long as I’ve known you,” Lisa countered.

“I’m waiting for the right guy. I guess I’ll know when I see him,” Angie maintained. I hope he comes in range for that!


****

[Other side of the room]

Dave sat by himself and studied the notes from his last meeting. While San Antonio broke the monotony, the site’s vibes left a lot to be desired where he was concerned. I had to come to a conference right on the site of pain and death. He was popping St. John’s Wart like crazy as a result.

The last presentation’s use of Shakespearean laments didn’t help either. The speaker, apparently wanting to prove what a hotshot inprov person he was, called on people to explain sources and link resources to them. He asked Dave to deal with the lament at the end of Cymbeline.

Needless to say, the Child wasn’t amused, threatening to assert control and rip the idiot apart for the apparent taunt.

This is just too much. He took out a picture of Deirdre and smiled as he studied it. I’m trying, Dee Dee. Really, I am. I just wish it didn’t hurt so much. Then, picking up on someone watching him, he put it away.

“Mind if I join you?” Dean Sommers inquired.

“Sure. Sorry I missed the alum mixer last night. Late interview,” he apologized as she sat down.

“You can’t work all the time,” she admonished. “The others were looking for you.”

“That’s nice to know,” he replied almost flatly.

“What happened this morning? You were so tense in there. I know you’re dealing with Karen but it’s been two years,” she lectured.

“Almost four,” he corrected her with a sigh. “No. The quote though was a bad choice. It’s personal, Dean Sommers. Sorry, I can’t talk about it.”

She nodded. Despite the fact that the university community didn’t remember a great deal about the young man in front of her, they knew he had his troubles and issues. “Is this related to your disappearance?”

He nodded. “Yes. A friend died. She loved Shakespeare. It’s….” He put his head down, struggling with the emotional tempest within himself.

“It’s okay, David. I’m sorry we brought it up,” she apologized. What’s going on? Why don’t we know? “Maybe you should just go back to the hotel and rest for the afternoon. First though, I want you to get a bite of lunch.”

“Thanks, Dean Sommers,” he expressed while looking at the menu.

“Get anything you like. It’s on me,” she told him. Hopefully, a nice meal will help.




Chapter 5 [That night--Dave’s hotel room]

Between the bad vibes and his brooding, Dave didn’t help his headache or outlook any. He had slept lightly, thrashing and wriggling on top of the mattress like a fish on dry land. His eyes finally snapped open three hours into the ordeal to see that the sun had set. “Afternoon’s shot,” he groused at himself while getting up.

Dave, it’s okay!

He sighed while picking up on the presence across the room. “Dee Dee?”

The woman who had secretly been his wife appeared in front of him. “I worry about you when you’re like this.”

“Can you blame me? I miss you,” he retorted, barely managing to keep from lapsing.

“I know. Dave, you’re so close to what I promised you.” She grinned. “Just try not to break this one’s heart, all right?”

“Excuse me?” he asked.

“You’ve got quite the gathering of girls who like you up here,” she declared.

“Wait. How does a pagan priestess get into Heaven? Not that I don’t think you deserve it but….” he wondered.

“Being forsaken is like a Christian excommunication. While I was cast out of my order, I presume the goddess might have seen fit to help me to my reward in another sense. I still haven’t found Penny though. I’m looking,” she explained.

“Let me know if you need help. I’ll send the bodyguard,” he quipped.

“He would really make their day,” she assumed wryly while imagining how the Apparition would bust around inside of the St. Peter’s Gate. “Then again, he nearly did that well enough down there.”

“Don’t remind me. People were still looking strangely at me. I guess it’s a good thing the world forgot about me and the Child,” he concurred.

“For the present,” she agreed while solidifying herself and taking a seat. “But Heaven hasn’t and never will. You know, Dave, your grandparents have adopted me. They’re unbelievable and so are Peggy, Laura and Candace. You do attract a lot of great friends. That goes for the Kid in your head too.” She rubbed his arm suggestively. “There is another reason I’m here, you know.”

“Oh?” He narrowed his eyes at her. “Angels can’t….”

She shrugged. “I am still your wife as well, Dave, secret or not. Your love is something to be treasured. Just remember to give it to the One when the time comes.” She kissed him. “Just lie with me. I’m not allowed to have sex but I can cuddle within restraints.”

He laid back down in her embrace, not sure if he was dreaming or not. Then again, he really didn’t care either.


****

[Next Morning]

He opened his eyes the next morning, feeling completely refreshed. Was it a dream? While he often talked to angels in Center Cemetery and other places, he had never had an experience like that one. He saw that her side of the bed was empty.

Yet it had been slept on.

With his fingers, he traced the slender impression, matching it to his deceased companion’s. Thanks, Dee Dee. He saw one more sign: a single red rose left on her pillow. Now I can face the day! With that, he got up and headed for the shower.

First the morning meeting and then the fight for lunch. Just another day at the twin conferences.

But that morning, he didn’t care…..