I woke up with a start, quickly opening my eyes to be able to see where I was, to see if there was any way for me to get away. I was sitting upright, in a car? I was covered by a blanket, with my shoes and purse in my lap. And the car was taking me somewhere? And who was driving me?
A calm, deep voice started talking, telling me that everything was ok, that he was getting me away from Josh. There was something familiar about his voice, and the way he was talking, mixing soothing words and facts about what had happened when I was unconscious.
I started taking deep breaths to try to calm my speeding heart, finding it ironic that I was using a technique taught by Josh to overcome what was supposed to be Josh's final lesson. Pushing back the hysterical laughter that tickled the back of my throat, I continued breathing, loosening the tight pressure across my chest and preparing myself to confront my... savior?
I turned my face slightly to the left and let my eyes run up a darkly clad arm, pausing as I realized that the person sitting next to me was dressed in a very distinct police uniform. I felt the confusing pieces of that particular puzzle click in place and I wasn't surprised when I recognized the person sitting next to me; it was the angry police officer.
"You...?" I whispered.
"Yes, me," he said "and it figures that you would recognize me. I sat here hoping you wouldn't, so I wouldn't have to say I'm sorry, because I'm really not that good at it. But here it goes... I'm sorry I let my previous experiences color the way I treated you. I'm sorry I didn't help you properly then. But I've been thinking that perhaps I got this chance for a do-over, so that I'd be able to do it right this second time. And now I'm babbling, and I'm sorry about that too..."
His voice trailed off into silence as he watched the road in front of him and bit his lip, perhaps to keep himself from talking. I studied his face, finding him just as attractive as the last short time I had seen him. He seemed calm, not worried, upset or angry; just perfectly calm, perhaps with just a hint of embarrassment. But he wasn't smiling, which somehow felt reassuring to me, and I wondered if I would see Josh's face every time I met someone who greeted me with a smile. I felt a shudder run through my body as I faced that frightening possibility; I sincerely hoped that wouldn't be the case.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked, keeping my voice low.
"I'm taking you to the hospital" he answered, still keeping his eyes on the road.
"Hospital? I can't go to the hospital!" I almost squeaked, shaking my head quickly from side to side, making my head hurt just that little bit more.
"That's exactly where we're going, I wouldn't be able to look my aunt or uncle in the eyes ever again if I didn't make sure that you were taken care of."
He stopped the car and I realized we were already there, parked a few rows of cars away from the hospital entrance. He turned towards me and scanned my face, his face still calm, but his eyes both warm and sad.
"I'm sorry, but this one time I'm going to have to insist that you do as I say. I've called ahead and we will be greeted just inside those doors, and I will be there to make sure you're taken care of, that you're treated in the best way possible."
I could tell by the stubborn set of his mouth and jaw that he meant what he was saying, and I realized there was no way to prevent what was going to happen. A trip to the local hospital would almost certainly show up on my husband's radar, making escape impossible. I felt that sick, dizzy feeling again and had to fight to keep myself from fainting.
"Hey," he said before jumping out of the car "don't go fainting on me again!"
He opened my door, bent down to put my shoes on my feet and then helped me out of the car. He made sure that the blanket was wrapped tightly around my body, perhaps to hide the state of my clothes, before he locked the car, took my arm and started guiding me towards those dreaded hospital doors.
I felt darkness creeping in on me, and my field of vision got smaller and smaller until I saw only a tiny brightly lit square in front of me. I saw the doors opening and the even brighter light from the hospital reception area. I heard a shocked exclamation from someone standing just inside the doors and looked up to find Susan standing there, staring at me with wide eyes in her obviously bruised and battered face. She called out to me, but I just shook my head and let myself be led further into the hospital.
We were met by a young dark-haired woman, who greeted us with a wide smile, then led us further and further into the labyrinth of the hospital until she finally stopped and guided us into a small, empty waiting room. She told us she'd be right back, then left us with quick steps. The police officer guided me to a chair and sat down beside me, an arm still wrapped around my shoulders, probably to make sure I stayed upright.
"I don't want to be here..." I whispered.
"I've realized that," the police officer answered "but now when I've finally understood who you are, I think it's for the best that you stay."
"What do you mean?" I whispered, my breaths too shallow, my pulse too high and my tunnel-vision still present.
"With a little help from the smiling sleazebag who attacked you, I now know your name, and since that's a name I've already heard a couple of times this week..." he said, annoyingly stopping mid-sentence.
"Still not helped by what you're saying!" I told him, anger rising at the irritating way he was avoiding the main issue, refusing to tell me the whole story as quickly as possible. Anger that evened out my breaths and made my hands stop trembling.
"I happen to be Edward Connery's closest living relative, his beloved nephew to be precise. I used to share my name with the not entirely unknown Sean Connery, but I've gone by the name of Sean Perez for many, many years now."
His self-deprecating smile as he said his name was replaced by a serious expression as he continued.
"Edward, who happens to own a cute little dog named Alfred and who also happens to be your closest neighbor has told me about your situation and I know that you don't want to be here and why. Elena that met and guided us here will make sure that the doctors and nurses you meet are only her most trusted friends, people that she can guarantee aren't corrupt or in any way bought by your husband's family. And your name and medical documentation will be protected in every way possible. It's time to do something about your situation, right now!"
I was shocked by what he was saying and stared at him for a long time, processing his words and trying to see any likeness to Edward. Perhaps there was something about his eyes and the sound of his voice that was familiar? I was startled out of my contemplations by Sean laughing softly.
"We don't look much alike," he said "but we're quite definitely related. I can show you a heart shaped birthmark that we both have in common if you want me to?"
Elena, the nurse, came walking back into the room and waved her finger at Sean.
"If it's the birthmark on your right butt cheek you're talking about, Sean, then I'm sure none of us want to see it!" she said with laughing conviction "Now, get out of here and let us girls talk for a while!"
Sean walked down the hall, but stayed close enough for him to see, but not hear, us.
