DISCLAIMERS/WARNING: This is Uber. There is violence and bad language and annoying people. It is a dark tale. No sex.

APOLOGY: Sorry for the long delay between updates. New computer system, new email, new job; all conspiring to keep me from finishing this story.

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS: p.phair@comcast.net

O'Grady was struggling to tie her sneakers. Her feet were just so far away these days. She teetered precariously on the side of the bed.

"Hey, falling on your ass won't get out of dinner tonight," Devyn knelt in front of the doctor. "Why don't you wear the ones the OT fixed with the stretch lace so you don't have to tie?"

"Because their lame," O'Grady grumped then regretted her sour mood. "Sorry, my temper may need more therapy than my body."

Devyn laughed harder than the psychiatrist thought was necessary.

"So," wanting to change the subject away from her faults, O'Grady decided this would be a good time to press Devyn about the house, "when will 'she' let you tell me about her?"

"Are you trying to get me in bad with your other guest?" Devyn's eyes sparkled merrily when she looked up at the Doctor from her spot on the floor.

"I never invited her," O'Grady frowned.

Devyn chuckled as she finished with the laces.

"You're really not going to tell me anything, are you?"

"Not yet, Doc."

The buzz of the back doorbell ended the discussion. Devyn left to greet their visitor while O'Grady grabbed her cane to follow slowly behind. She carefully maneuvered her sore body down the hall and into the kitchen. Glancing up from her plodding steps, she saw Alby and Devyn staring at her with growing apprehension.

"Doctor, would you like me to get your wheelchair?" Alby edged forward.

"I'll get it," Devyn quickly offered.

"Stop," O'Grady stood to her full height to catch her breath. "I'm not using the chair tonight. Have cane, will travel so let's go."

"Doc, you're already sweating," Devyn noted but was brushed off by O'Grady's forward movement across the kitchen.

"I'm walking. End of discussion," O'Grady panted slightly.

The concerned pair trailed the determined psychiatrist out the back door and down five steps. O'Grady made them even more nervous when she cut across the uneven grass to the waiting car. She zig zagged a bit stepping over a rusted sprinkler head. Devyn was immediately at her elbow.

"I'm okay," The claim sounded breathless even to O'Grady, "but if you want to lend a hand then go ahead."

Devyn was pleased the stubborn woman was not only letting her help but leaning on her as well. The doctor's silk blouse was damp with sweat from the short journey. After settling O'Grady into the back seat, Devyn ran back to house.

"What did you forget?" O'Grady let the annoyance she felt for her weakened state taint her reaction to the delay.

"This," Devyn held up an overnight bag with a grin.

"And what's in there?" The doctor barked.

"Just, um, in case, ah," Devyn stammered her surprise at the anger in O'Grady's tone.

"What? Diapers? Bibs? I'm not a child! You don't need to pack a baby bag for me!"

"I didn't," Devyn pushed back into the seat to get a little distance from the doctor.

O'Grady snatched the item to inspect the contents. Hair brush, make up, pain pills were packed neatly next to a beautifully wrapped box. A small card attached to the ribbon was addressed to the Professor. The doctor stole a glance at Devyn who was barely maintaining her composure.

"Why are you bringing him a present?" O'Grady whispered.

"I'm not," Devyn chose to stare out the window at the passing landscape. "You're bringing a box of cigars. Alby told me the kind he liked. I got the guy at the liquor store to deliver them while you were napping."

"You put it on my credit card, right?" O'Grady tried ignoring her embarrassment with business matters.

"I'm no thief," Devyn's voice broke; humiliated by the accusation.

"The credit card is for household expenses, Devyn. It's there for your convenience. How did you pay for it?" The doctor's emotional discomfort was growing with each passing moment.

"I had some money hidden in a shoe box," Devyn would not look at the woman next to her. "It was enough for the cigars and tip and some change...,"

"I'm such an ass!" O'Grady blurted out.

Devyn's head swung around at the unexpected confession. The doctor held her head in her hands as she prattled on about her short comings. It was Devyn's laughter that finally ended the declaration of guilt.

"Yes, you can be at times," Devyn agreed.

"Sorry doesn't cover how I feel. It seems like all I do is apologize lately," O'Grady shook her head sadly.

"You'd think you'd be better at it," Devyn smirked.

"I deserved that," the chastised doctor gave a hesitant grin, "but I don't deserve what's going to happen to me when I walk into that house."

Devyn looked out the window once more. The building seemed more like a castle than a home. Ivy crawled up the ancient wall to the left of the front door. The large bay window hid the private world beyond with starched white lace curtains. As she exited the car, the young woman tried to shake off a sudden chill at the site of the house. Gravel crunching brought Devyn back to her senses.

"Easy does it, doc," she cautioned as O'Grady approached on shaky legs.

"Could, would you help me?" The doctor was trembling trying to hold her balance.

Devyn took the doctor's free arm. The two made there way to the ornate front doors. Small gargoyle heads held out knockers in their extended hands.

"Creepy," Devyn whispered as she banged the ring against the wood.

"Do you think?" O'Grady smothered a laugh.

The door was opened by a tall, black man. He was certainly middle aged but not as old as the driver. His suit was similar to Alby's with the exception of a white rose pinned to his left lapel. While his face remained passive, his eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"Anton, it's good to see you again," O'Grady nodded as she leaned heavily onto Devyn to make her way over the threshold.

"Dr. O'Grady, I am delighted to see you again," his voice rumbled like thunder deep in his chest. "I was most concerned about your health. Professor Vontz kept us up to date with your progress. You seem to have surpassed his most recent assessment."

"Gotta keep the old man guessing," O'Grady winked. "Is he in the dining room?"

"No, the Professor is waiting in the library."

"Tsk, tsk, smoking again," O'Grady trudged toward the stuffy room with Devyn's assistance. "Where are my manners?" She stopped short, "Anton, this is Devyn Tannon. She's helping me at the beach."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Tannon," he nodded in her direction.

"Feelings mutual," Devyn flashed a grin. "Call me Devyn."

"I am sorry, Ms. Tannon, but that level of familiarity is not allowed," the man was cordial but serious.

Devyn blushed at her error. She was well out of her natural element. A gentle squeeze of her fingers from O'Grady was meant to reassure her but it did little to ease her growing anxiety. Professor Vontz ran his household with an iron hand. Every member had their place and was expected to observe their boundaries. Devyn would not know where her place was until she tripped over the unseen divisions of the classes. What would the Professor demand O'Grady do with the ignorant woman then?

"Hello Professor."

Devyn heard the words a heartbeat after the library's door was pushed open with the doctor's cane. The room's lights fought a futile battle to brighten the dark wood walls that enclosed them. Smoke hung in the air and seemed to ring around the old man sitting directly across from the entrance. He frowned when he saw both women. It took him some time to decide to put down his cigar and greet his guests.

"Doctor, I did not realize you would need your attendant this evening." He sniffed but did not stand. "I will have Jennifer set a place for her in the kitchen."

"You'll do no such thing," O'Grady lumbered the last few steps to the chair nearest the door. "Devyn's a guest of mine. You'll treat her well or I won't be back."

The old man scowled. He snuffed out his cigar in the nearby ashtray before turning his full attention to his granddaughter. His brow unfurled once he finally looked at the panting woman.

"Are you in pain?" He was on his feet immediately.

"Could you get her some water?" Devyn asked as she unzipped the bag to pull out the pills.

"I'm fine," the doctor settled back with a wince. "Did a bit too much. Just give me a couple of minutes. Dev, let's try to skip the drugs for a while, okay? They make me so sleepy."

Devyn could not stop a small smile for gracing her lips. It was not only the simple plea from the O'Grady but the sweet way she asked.

"Professor, Devyn, introduce yourselves," O'Grady coughed.

"Ms. Tannon, welcome to my home," the Professor deliberately did not extend his hand in greeting. "As my granddaughter's aide, I expect your utmost care of her during the visit in spite of your apparent limitations."

"Maybe I should wait in the car?" Devyn mumbled.

"Grandfather!" O'Grady managed to grit out.

"Doctor, I must, once again, object to these arrangements. Do you know the results of her CORI check? Four arrests…,"

"But, no convictions," Devyn stepped back from the angry Professor, away from O'Grady. "I was, am…, I have problems. My mind gets clouded sometimes. Your granddaughter was helping me before…," Devyn felt a lump in her throat.

"Enough of this," O'Grady struggled to sit up and both the Professor and Devyn moved to lend a hand. "Devyn, we're going home. Alby can get our dinner at the drive thru but you don't need this shit."

"Sit down," both the Professor and Devyn instructed.

O'Grady gasped. She curled over as if to protect her belly. Arms snuggled tightly around the trembling trunk.

"Water," Devyn instructed as she went for the pills.

The Professor hurried to the wet bar. He returned quickly with a glass of cool water. A wordless exchange was made with Devyn as she coaxed the Doctor to take the medicine. O'Grady offered no protest as she took the drugs offering relief for the searing pain in her stomach. Seconds hung like hours as the Professor stood helplessly watching his granddaughter's misery.

"It's easing," O'Grady forced her body to lean back in the chair. "Look at you two," the crack in her voice betrayed her suffering, "like a couple of old hens."

"Does this happen often?" The Professor questioned Devyn directly.

"Only when the good Doctor over does it or waits too long to take her pills," Devyn frowned. "She really won't feel better for about twenty minutes, regardless of what she tells you."

"What makes you so smart?" O'Grady huffed.

"When it hurts you take shallow breaths. When you're comfortable you take nice deep breaths."

"You have watched her closely," the Professor was impressed. "More than one night I sat by her bed, certain she was suffering. Damn doctors didn't believe me when I told them I could see the agony in every breath she took."

"Careful, glasshouses," O'Grady hummed as she tried to relax her taunt muscles.

The Professor's lips hinted at a smile. O'Grady missed the moment but Devyn saw it for what it was. The old man was worried sick but proud as Hell of the woman sitting, shuddering with pain in his library.

"Professor," Devyn decided to take a chance, "do you want to ask me about my past? I'll answer anything I can."

"Dev, you don't…," O'Grady was interrupted by one of Devyn's gentle head nods.

"Yes, I do need to explain if your grandfather's worried. It's only fair."

The room fell silent as the Professor considered the woman standing next to him. Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he went to start a question and stopped abruptly. He returned to his chair and sat heavily. A slight hand gesture indicated Devyn should sit on the matching leather couch.

"Ms. Tannon, I have only one question. Are you receiving treatment at this time?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then I have no choice but to rely on the profession I built my life around," he picked up the cigar to relight it muttering, "God help me."

O'Grady took a deep breath. It was easier than she anticipated. The throbbing in her belly was subsiding as her muscles relaxed. Devyn had completely disarmed her grandfather without firing one verbal shot. She gave a quick wink to the blonde and was rewarded with a half smile.

"Well," sighed the doctor, "what's for dinner?"

* * *

The meal went smoothly. Devyn made polite conversation with the Professor. He responded in kind. It was not until dessert that they discovered a mutual love of

television.

"Devyn," the Professor forgot his formality with the welcome news of a common interest, "you must visit my media room after you finish your tea. I have hours of classic shows on tape. In fact, I just had a flat screen delivered."

"What no DVD?" O'Grady could not resist kidding the man about his obsession.

"It is a very slow process transitioning from one format to the other. My entire collection will take years to complete," the Professor was very serious in the face of his granddaughter's humor.

"Forgive me, I sit corrected," O'Grady held her side as she laughed.

"Don't tease," Devyn chuckled a good natured warning to the psychiatrist. "Professor, I would love to see the media room but I not sure how our doctor is doing. O'Grady, are you beat or what?"

"Actually, I'm feelin' fine," she could see relief spread across her grandfather's face.

"You really are doing tremendous," the Professor smiled broadly for the first time all evening.

Before O'Grady could answer, the door to the dining room pushed open. A short, round woman with mussed, graying hair hustled inside. She was shouting over her shoulder at the staff to get her meal and make up her room. The liquor in her glass sloshed slightly with her frenzied movements.

"I swear, they get dumber by the day," her pinched eyebrows focused on her seat at the table without waiving left or right.

"Elsie, I have company," the Professor interrupted the flurry of activity as she took the seat at the far end of the table.

"Yes, that imbecile doorman told me," she raised a grudging look at the wounded psychiatrist. "You look better than I expected. Except for those scars," she made a gesture over her cheek and throat with an extended thumb. Pointing at Devyn she sputtered before taking a long sip of her drink, "I don't even know who you are."

O'Grady fought the urge to touch the visible reminders of the terror. She merely shook her head and resumed sipping her tea. Her mother would never change. It was too much to expect her to be civil.

"Devyn, we should go to the media room. The Doctors O'Grady need some privacy," the Professor rose and beckoned for Devyn to follow.

"No," both woman called to the retreating backs but the door slammed shut on them.

"You manipulative SOB!" Elsie shouted.

"Good to see you too," O'Grady put her tea cup down and began to search for her cane.

"Well, I realize it has been a while. Between teaching and research, I'm out straight with work." She gave a satisfied grin and swilled more scotch, "It's finally paying off. The requests from the Universities and lecture circuit are pouring in. You know, after years of scrounging for grants…"

"I was stabbed."

O'Grady's simple statement ended Elsie's blather. The moment hung between them.

"Yes, I know but…,"

"I almost died."

Elsie's cheeks flushed. Her lips pursed to dispute the statement but she lost her daughter's attention. The psychiatrist began looking for her cane in earnest.

"Your father kept me informed," Elsie smoothed her disheveled hair away from her face before draining her glass.

"You didn't come."

O'Grady found her cane on the floor. She hooked the edge of it with the toe of her sneaker and pulled it up to grab it. Pushing her chair back, the psychiatrist started to rise.

"I'm here now," Elsie argued.

"Yes, you're here for dinner. I've had mine and must be on my way," O'Grady was hesitantly plodding to the door.

"You could at least keep me company," her mother rose and attempted to follow her.

"No!" O'Grady turned to ward off her helping hands, "I needed you a month ago. Instead, a nurse, who barely knows me, sat by my bed for days. Dad flew in from Vienna. The Professor slept in my office for almost a week just to be close. And you, my dear mother, didn't even call me."

"Keep your voice down and watch your mouth with me!" Elsie growled as she pulled her hand back in that familiar, threatening stance.

"DEVYN!" O'Grady screamed at the top of her lungs.

Her breathless aide burst into the room seconds later catching enough of the scene to understand Elsie's intent. The Professor followed close behind but missed the gesture. O'Grady draped an arm around the concerned Devyn's shoulders.

"Home, please," O'Grady whispered softly as she hung her head.

* * *

"Want to talk about it?" Devyn offered once they were safely back in the main hall at the beach.

O'Grady sat slumped in her wheelchair. She offered no argument when Devyn insisted on its use. The entire evening had drained all of the doctor's reserve strength.

"Did you like the media room?" O'Grady mumbled as politely as possible.

"It was very nice, thank you," Devyn sighed at the psychiatrist's avoidance.

"Sorry, I don't have a TV," O'Grady shrugged and a tear slipped down her cheek, "or furniture or a family."

The sobs were deep. It made O'Grady's chest ache. It was too much effort to feel this badly but it was impossible to hold her hurt inside any longer.

"She never even called," she buried her face in her hands.

"Have you two always been …," Devyn did not know the best way to describe the volatile dynamics.

"…at each others throats? We have an awkward relationship. My grandfather raised me but I'm sure you're too tired to listen to this, right?"

Devyn heard the doctor's underlying hope that Devyn would listen to her.

"Let me get the comforter so I can sit on the floor and a box of tissues for you," the young woman was warmed by the gratitude on the doctor's face.

"Maybe a root beer?" The doctor called as Devyn hurried out of the room.

It took Devyn only a few minutes to gather the needed items. O'Grady relished the cold, bubbling soda in her mouth a few extra minutes before swallowing. The pounding in her head eased slightly.

"So, you want to hear about Mom?" O'Grady smiled at the serious nod of Devyn's head. "Mom and Dad were young when I was born. They hadn't finished college. The Professor didn't want their education interrupted by a baby; by me. I don't know how or who determined it would be best for them if I stayed in the states with the Professor but that's what happened. Material things were never lacking but my parents were in Europe. They called and set cards and came for the holidays but we were never really a family."

"How were things with your grandfather?"

"He had breakfast and dinner with me everyday. There were nannies and tutors and lessons on music, horses, swimming, and tennis. By the time I turned five, I was ready for boarding school," O'Grady smirked.

"That's not funny," Devyn did not want to believe the doctor.

"It may not be funny but it is true. For all intents and purposes, I left my grandfather's house at age five and returned to live there after medical school." The look of horror on Devyn's face made the doctor scramble to make the situation seem less isolated, "I spent holidays with him and vacations. It wasn't like I was forgotten…,"

"I would have felt forgotten," Devyn shook her head.

"Yeah, some days I did feel that way," O'Grady let a defensive wall crumble. "I hated that she could let me go. When I was old enough, I decided to confront her. It didn't go well."

"Was that the first time she hit you?" Devyn felt her own anger at Elsie bloom.

"You noticed, huh?" O'Grady was ashamed. "No, my mother hit me every time I ever saw her for as long as I can remember."

"Ah, isn't it…, you know, she's educated and wealthy and…,"

"and an alcoholic."

O'Grady acknowledged the large white elephant of a family secret. Elsie Vontz O'Grady, PhD., was in every sense a classic fall down drunk who happened to have a very nice address. O'Grady was going to revert to her professional mode and give the statistics regarding her mother's disease across cultures and classes but stopped herself. She wanted this moment to be about her and not Elsie.

"The last time she actually hit me was the Christmas break between high school and college. I was feeling great. College provided four years of excuses not to come home. Elsie was loaded when Alby picked her up at the airport. Dad didn't come with her because they had a fight before boarding," O'Grady felt that same old twinge of disappointment in her father that surfaced with thoughts of him. "So, she's roaring drunk. You know, I can barely remember the words that unleashed the fury but then it was the emotions driving the moment and not what was said."

"You don't have to be the doctor right now," Devyn reminded her.

"Right," O'Grady found it easier to be the doctor sometimes; most of the time. "We had finished dinner and were walking back to the library for coffee. Elsie made a nasty remark about the food, which was wonderful, being under or over cooked. I said something like, 'dinner is harder to cook than it is to pour.' She slapped me across the face. I promptly slapped her back and was about to hit her again when I saw the fear in her eyes. She was afraid of me. I realized, I was afraid of me too and stormed off to be. The next day she was gone. We've seen each other a half dozen times since but only in groups."

"What does your grandfather think about Elsie?"

"We never discuss it. Elsie's bad behavior is expected and the rest of us ignore it."

"Wow, for a bunch of doctor's you guys are just as screwed up as the rest of us," Devyn marveled.

"No," O'Grady shook her head in resignation, "we're more screwed up."

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