Canaria Medical Center

[Doreen]

It was morning. Doreen arrived for work, coffee in hand, when she met up with her boss, John Holliday, between the receptionists desk and her office. Two people waited in the waiting area, both reading something to pass the time. On this morning, the attractive red head was in a mood and wanting explanations from her boss on his recent long absences.

"Mornin', Doreen," he said as he went to give her a friendly hug.
"Um, John, can we speak for a minute, please?" she asked.
"In a few minutes if you don't mind," he answered.
She firmly replied, "No, now. A few minutes lately has turned into days on end."
He just nodded as he said "all right" and then they headed into her office. "What's on your mind?"

Doreen sighed, trying to contain her anger with him. "John, where have you been? These absences have taken a toll."
"I've been working on a few projects," he said evasively, "and I had little choice in my disappearance."
"You could have said something, John! Do you know what it's like telling patients who want YOU that you'll be back shortly when I really have no idea if you will or not?" she answered sharply.
Doc sighed himself, "Doreen, if you knew where I was and what I was doing and someone wanted to find out, certain people would have done a lot of harm to you to get that information."
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" she asked firmly.
After a short pause, he simply replied, "No, I guess not."

"Midori was worried sick about you," Doreen continued, "you didn't even tell her. John, you abandoned your family and this institution."
He turned sharply to her, "My family is none of your business, Doreen!"
"It is when she calls me wondering where you are!" she screamed, "Did you know that I stayed a few nights at your estate so that Benjen would have a caretaker? I worked a lot of extra shifts, John Holliday, to cover yor absence so it is my business!"

She sobbed, "at least Midori has staff to help. I'm a single parent. Benjen has no father and for a few days, didn't have a mother either."

He began to turn away, realizing her pain. "Doreen, I'm sorry. I...I didn't think of anyone else. I just wanted to protect you by not saying anything."
"Protect me?" she demanded enraged with tears, "Protect me?" With all her strength, she slapped him, sending his glasses flying.
"Protect me from what, John! You owe me that!" she demanded as she went to slap him again.
Catching her hand, he held it until it lost strength and then released it as she sobbed.

She was right, he did owe her that. He stood before her and began to explain.
"For the last couple of years, I began research into the mysteries of that vial, evil, drug cardamine. I hate it. I hate how it enslaves people and how it's makers use it to push for their agenda. To me it's the same thing as slavery, an issue that divided my father and I. I thought I was close but.............I failed."

"John," she said softly, "you are playing with fire when you do work like that. My God the Outcasts may kill you on a good day."
"Which is why I kept it quiet," he answered, his hand on her shoulders, "I couldn't let you know...or Midori. That is why my research lab is in a place that no one will ever find."
He then sighed, "I also got rid of all the evidence, all the research and logs. Whatever may have leaked is so heavily encrypted that Eris herself won't be able to read it."

There was silence. Relief for him as the weight of secrecy was gone and her anger was released.
"John, are you OK?" she asked.
"Yeah," he answered simply and then he asked of her, "If you need some time off, you deserve it."
"Just today," she answered smiling, "mom and son time is needed."
"Go!" he smiled, "spend time with that boy!"
With that, she left and he went about his day.

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