Nature or Nurture

The next day finds the doctor up and about his business long before the others stir. Let them enjoy some private moments together before they regret letting him into their pact for a night.

He did not imagine his deflowering this way, but then he never imagined it happening at all. Investing in a relationship never seemed worth the effort, and he always, rightfully he now knows, scorned the idea of paid love.

Getting a taste of such intimacy as he experienced last night amazes him as much as that it was started by a man. A man he wronged so badly that he had expected to be hated by him forever, despite all his efforts to make up for his mistakes. He hopes Vincent's forgiveness and love will outlast the night, for besides their own value, they are the key to Adison's regard, which he also secretly craves.

Meanwhile, the lovers have awakened, and Adison tells Vincent how incredibly stimulating she found watching him release his passion on a man.

'You were just so incredibly sexy dominating him so totally. I love the beast in you, though when it is focused on me it is more careful.'

Vincent stretches his bruised body and replies, 'Because I love you more, I try to keep it under control, but sometimes it does get away from me. It scares me, though it doesn't seem to scare you, the way you tempt it sometimes'.

Adison admits, 'I just feel you have to let it out regularly, let it spend itself, lest its energy builds up until you can no longer keep it under your control. And I really, really like it and trust it.'

A few weeks pass by with Adison and the doctor continuing to research disease through medical examination, using the knowledge they gain in their growing practice in medicine.

They have managed to diagnose some cases that have been given up by other practitioners, but diagnosing is not curing. Yet.

For they are planning to broaden their knowledge of possible cures as well. This is mostly Adison's field of interest, for Victor's main study object is still human anatomy, which he relentlessly pursues in all the hours he isn't treating patients, eating, sleeping, at arms-practise and spending time with his house-mates. He has a private workshop in a mortuary, nice and close to where most bodies end up before burial or cremation.

Looking for more dependable medication, Adison has taken up her instruction in the Chinese medical art again. The only way to get that instruction is to visit the master who is willing to teach, in the community centre in the Chinese quarter of the town.

Vincent usually accompanies Adison on her field trips, though his interest in medicine is still minimal. But soon he is enjoying his time in this exotic looking part of town, and it all starts with a new acquaintance.

Most people they meet at the community centre are not very interested in anyone outside their own circle, though they do not mind sharing their knowledge with outsiders if they are willing to come and get it.

Vincent is soon sought out by the one exception, a Chinese young man obsessed by everything English. He even has an English alias, Bruce. Through Bruce, Vincent discovers two Chinese traditions that soon start to intrigue him, meditation and martial arts. Bruce is a master of both, and loves to teach.

Vincent immediately realizes the personal benefit he can get from practicing meditation, improving his concentration and self-control. And when he sees a group of people practicing some kind of non-armed combat which involves an almost acrobatically agility and again, incredible control of body and mind, it makes a lasting impression on him. He wants to learn this!

He decides to ask Bruce.

'Would it be possible for me to learn this, good friend?'

Bruce laughs openly.

'Sure you can, everyone with two arms and two legs can learn, and even some without that many.' Of course, that is not what Vincent really means.

'What I mean is, will I be allowed to learn, will I be able to find a teacher?'

Bruce acts as if he is thinking really hard, of course he knew what Vincent meant, he was just making fun of him. But in fact, Bruce can't wait to teach him.

'If one of our own is willing to teach, it is allowed. And as it happens, I know a master in both meditation and the martial arts, who is dying to upgrade his English and learn about English literature. He also has a secret passion for the theatre. But it is really hard for him to get lessons in those subjects where he lives.'

Vincent takes the bait.

'Can you introduce me to this master? I have an interest in literature and a budding acting career. I could teach this master both, in exchange for lessons in his specialty.'

Bruce thoroughly enjoys the conversation, for of course it is already very clear that he ís the martial artist looking for an exchange of lessons.

'Where would you prefer to have the lessons?' he asks.

'The martial arts would be best to do here, and acting lessons sometimes require extra's, so having them here with plenty of people willing to help out would be fine. Meditation, in the garden, literature, in our library?'

Bruce holds out his hand.

'That is very agreeable to me, let's start immediately with some basic moves.'

And they shake on their deal, then start a practise session which has Vincent lying in the dust within seconds. His respect for Bruce's art is growing with every move he learns, this is a means of self-defence where physical strength is of secondary importance, even a disadvantage if not under control of the user, for then it will certainly be used against him.

The session leaves them both out of breath and very content.

'You're really fast and strong,' Bruce says, 'once you've learned to control your strength you will be a real challenge for me. I'm looking forward to it, challenges have been few and far between recently.'

From that moment on, they practice during the time in which Adison has her medical classes. Bruce has free access to their home and their library, to help him with his study of literature and acting. After their visits to the community centre Adison generally retreats to her study to document her notes and samples and entrust them to their ever-growing library, whilst Vincent heads to the theatre for rehearsals. The doctor is always at his workshop, often staying out late to arrive just in time for arms practise or dinner.

Adison generally finds the time to supervise the small staff they have hired to perform household tasks, freeing themselves up for their increasingly successful professions, making life a lot easier to all of them.

Arms practise has changed again, the swordsmaster now teaching all three of them but only once a week. The other days they combine shooting practise with either meditation or martial arts.

Bruce loves to come over to instruct them, then spend the rest of the day in the library. It is a revelation to Adison and Victor that his combat technique allows them to use the weight and strength of a much larger person against them, and they enjoy practising it against Vincent. Of course he excels in this form of combat too, as if his muscles remember a very active lifestyle that he himself doesn't.

He has quickly learned the unfamiliar moves of the martial arts, learning to control his strength. Seeing him practise with Bruce is like looking at a dance without the music. Bruce compliments all of them.

'Adison and Victor, you have both learned the basics so well, that you can now hold your own against nearly any person who does not know martial arts. Just follow the forms and let their own strength do the job for you, then finish it.

Vincent, I don't know how you do it, but you may become a challenge for me any day now. I can feel your strength now, because your technique has gotten so much better I can no longer use it against you all the time. Will you three also teach me to shoot like you do? It's the weapon of the future, refusing to learn how to shoot would be suicide.'

In shooting, Adison takes first prize, though she uses a lighter gun than the men. All three find it weird to spend so much time on exercise they are probably never going to use, but they feel driven to it as if an unseen force directs them towards learning as many ways to defend themselves as possible.

But Bruce seems to find it quite natural to train fighting every day, and it keeps them in shape and makes them feel a lot safer travelling all over town.

Vincent always calls the doctor by his first name now, ever since their passionate night of love-making. They have repeated that exercise too, not very frequently, but whenever the doctor seems ready for it they draw him out.

Then the night of the play's first run arrives. Adison can see no anxiety or stage fright in Vincent, he knows what to do and trusts his fellow actors. His acting has improved immensely, with the rehearsals, the valuable help of his older colleague and tutor, and all the physical exercise and meditation he has been getting.

He is fast friends with the boys behind the scenes, always staying patient on the rare occasion that something doesn't work as planned, always treating them like equals. Simon, the male lead, still dislikes him intensely, a feeling which is totally mutual. It doesn't help that Simon's girl clearly adores Vincent, for though her own partner is much more handsome and has the better part in the play, he also openly demeans her.

Vincent treats her with respect, as he does everyone, though he'd rather never have met Simon. They still have to work as a team though, and here, meditation really has done wonders for Vincent. He wouldn't trust Simon for anything in the real world, but in the theatre, their own succes depends on all of the others, so he knows the arrogant lead player will behave.

The première of course is a great triumph.

The public goes mad over the drama, the love, and the gallons of blood. Adison is so proud to see Vincent play his part as if he has been an actor for years instead of months. He was meant to be an actor, she thinks. Afterwards, he is clearly exuberant, the action, the drama, are everything he expected. The crowd and the fame exceed his wildest imagination.

Instead of being taunted for his looks, as he more or less expected, people seem to relish his difference. He is celebrated, despite his small part in the play, and from the director's comments he knows he can expect a larger part in a next show.

Adison and the doctor enjoy his succes almost as much as he can do himself. They are so proud of him, observing the enthusiasm of the crowd as they wait for him to exchange a few words with the important people allowed to meet the actors, then change and take off the make-up.

In high spirits, they set off for home together. Stepping outside to walk the few blocks, they are busy talking about the play, not paying attention to their surroundings. And when in a deserted street they are surrounded by scruffy looking guys handling bats and staffs, they suddenly realize they're in trouble.

With nobody around to help them, they will have to save themselves, unarmed. They count six men, not too many to handle if they are as badly trained as they look.

Quietly Vincent takes charge.

'Victor, Adison, take your defensive stance and watch each other's backs. Only engage if they attack you. Please take care of each other, I'll take care of them.'

And with this, he confronts the main group of ruffians. Two rush him, and even as he ducks under the blow of one, he aims a high kick at the other. The kick connects with a sickening crush, the man drops like a stone.

Then Adison and the doctor are beset by two guys with short staffs, and she can no longer afford to watch how Vincent is faring.

Though she is quite a bit frightened, her training already takes over, she assumes the defensive pose of the Chinese martial arts, and waits for her opponent.

On her right side, Victor does the same.

The attackers don't recognize the stance and rush them. Almost in synch, the doctor and Adison take hold of their opponent's staff, and force the man holding it in a roll using his own momentum, each man landing heavily. They finish with a strong kick, and check if their man is indeed out of order. De doctor delivers another kick to the head to make sure of his man, Adison strikes hers with the staff she is now holding.

Quickly, she looks around, first to see if there are others rushing her or the doctor, then how Vincent is handling himself.

Of the four men, all armed with clubs or staffs, only two are still standing, two are lying motionless on the ground. Though he clearly has been struck repeatedly himself, bleeding from several wounds and favouring his left arm, Vincent is in total control of the situation.

As one desperate attacker comes at him with his club raised in a two-handed grip, Vincent simply evades the swing, takes his target by the throat with a single hand, lifting him a good foot off the ground, then crushes his windpipe casually. With the speed and aggression of a leopard, he turns to face the last man standing, who does not hesitate for an instant and tries to run for it. His efforts are in vain, for Vincent is already on him. Adison realizes the beast is loose, her feelings torn between relief at his safety and fear of the guilt that will undoubtedly follow.

Fortunately the doctor is in time to save the last goon. Without regard for his own safety, he intercedes himself between his progeny and the hapless criminal, urging Vincent to leave the man alive for questioning.

Coming to his senses, Vincent merely disarms the last thug, and follows the doctor to a quiet alley, dragging the man behind him. They question the man about his reasons for attacking them, and seeing his situation is hopeless, the beaten man quickly tells them he was hired by the lead actor of Vincent's company, to beat him up enough to get him out of the play and preferably out of acting altogether. This is all they need to know, and they leave him there and clear the scene quietly before the watch arrives with difficult questions.

When they are safely inside the house, Adison tells Vincent to strip, to see how badly he is hurt. Awkwardly, he tries to obey her, but his arm doesn't want to coöperate. Victor quickly helps him, and beneath his shirt they find a big bruise on his arm and several bleeding cuts on his back and shoulders.

As Victor rushes off to get his bag of supplies, Adison checks Vincent's head for injuries and tests his responses to find possible trauma.

'I'm fine,' he says, 'just hurting all over.'

Adison does not rest before she has cleaned and treated all his wounds, a little shocked by the evening but proud of her own fighting prowess. Victor decides to fire up the boiler, Vincent's face is clearly unmarked, and since his wounds are not really serious and he has no head trauma, he will want to play his role tomorrow as if nothing has happened, if the doctor knows him at all.

But he will be stiff as a board and his arm will give him hell, unless he can soak the pain out tonight with a good hot bath. And having Adison in there with him may make a difference in how he copes with having killed three men, and nearly a fourth.

They all drink a cup of calming tea, sitting silently, trying to get a hold on what happened in that deserted street, after their merry night.

'He must really hate me, to have me attacked just after the opening night. It would have ruined the play for him as well.'

There is nothing the others can say to oppose that statement, and Adison takes his hand to support him.

Victor leaves the lovers together to check on the boiler again. By stoking up the boiler really high, he can have a hot bath ready in a couple of hours. But he will have to check the pressure constantly, to prevent it from reaching dangerous heights.

Tired, and in Vincent's case hurting, they stick together, not feeling like doing anything, not even going to bed. Then Victor surprises the other two with the hot bath, taking them to the big steaming tub and leaving them thick towels en scented soap. Vincent is awed.

'How did you manage that so quickly! Thank you so much, Victor, that is just what I need to give me a chance to play tomorrow, and give that fellow the scare of his life!'

Adison is no less thankful, although she is a lot less enthusiastic about Vincent playing tomorrow with the danger of foul play still unresolved and the wounds of his fight still fresh. But she does understand his reasons to want to go at any cost.

Seeing just two towels, she protests.

'Surely you will join us Victor, you've had a rough time as well.'

Not wanting to intrude on them, he starts to protest, until he sees Vincent shake his head silently.

'I need you to be there, Victor, ' he says, 'without you I would have killed a fourth'.

Touched, the doctor runs off to fetch another towel, then helps Vincent into the soothing hot water, where Adison is waiting for both of them.

They don't speak of the attack and its implications anymore, leaving the decisions on how to deal with it for tomorrow. They soak in silence, and the hot water smoothes their overstressed muscles, invigoratingVincent. From the looks of him, he is almost free of pain, which would be impossible in a normal human, but which hardly surprises Victor anymore. He wonders if Adison has noticed, suspecting she probably has.

That night in bed, Adison has to deal with Vincent's guilt and self-loathing. He protected his loved ones, with no regard for himself, and now he pays the price for losing control of his violent self, killing in cold blood.

Adison has found herself capable of violence too, but she is much more inclined to forgive both of them. She knows he will not hear her argumentation right now, though, so she can think of nothing she can do except show him her love and trust.

She is not sorry they were able to fight off those thugs, they might have been hired to just beat Vincent up, but they would surely have raped her given any chance. They would probably not have hesitated to maim or kill Victor and Vincent either. She also knows Vincent realizes that, but he's not listening to his reason now.

Killing another human for the first time is really hard, and he needs to accept he has done it. When he does, he'll probably realize himself he had no other option.

As Adison lies awake, reliving the situation in her mind, she feels a tentative touch. Turning to face Vincent she realizes he is as awake as she is. Touching her face tenderly, his face shows his disturbed feelings.

Feeling his hands caressing her so lovingly, she inadvertently remembers those same elegant hands casually crushing a man's throat earlier that evening. If even she cannot look at him without being reminded of what he is capable of, how much worse must he feel?

He practically begs her, 'Will you please touch my scars for me? I need to feel really close to you, but I don't feel like making love at all.'

Adison is moved to tears by his humility, and is very ready to comply, she also needs to be as close to him as she possibly can, to show him she will always love him, every part of him.

'I will be happy to, my love, I have the same need as you. But will you promise me one thing? When he wants to come out, will you let him?'

Vincent clearly doesn't get her.

'Why would you want to seek out that part of me? And you do realize it is me, don't you?'

Seeing that it distresses him, she reaches out and touches his face, stroking his hair. She wants to kiss him, crawl into him, but she also wants him to understand.

'I know he is a part of you, that is why I want him to know, no, why I need to próve to him that I love him too. No matter what he does. He is the part of you that I first met, and came to love instantly. I want you to feel that I love the whole of you, and I have a feeling that this wild part of you needs the most comforting right now. He may be suffering the most.'