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

an open invitation

there's a rip in kathy's life
a tear in the fabric of our reality
in the middle of her living room
wide enough for something
to grab the ragged edges
and step into her world
unseen by waking eyes
not felt when the sun is high
but under the moonshine
sleeping
a voice calls out
a hand extends to touch
and the dog howls in the kitchen

marguerite mullaney, 2000

O'Grady woke to the smell of food cooking. Really good, greasy food cooking. She looked around quickly to assure herself she was still in her own home. Pulling her stiff body out of bed, she chose to use the crutches to investigate hoping to limber up her muscles in spite of the discomfort. The wood floor was cool against her bare feet. Unshod feet were one of the many luxuries only home could provide. O'Grady smiled at the thought of exploring all the indulgences of home.

"I didn't know the stove even worked," she found Devyn preparing breakfast in the kitchen.

"Sure does," Devyn hummed happily. "It's a beauty too. You don't know what you're missing."

"I usually eat out," O'Grady eased herself into one of the two tall kitchen chairs with a place setting.

"Don't you like to cook?" Devyn placed a glass of orange juice in front of the doctor.

"I like to cook but there was very little time. Don't we have any coffee?" Her voice was just short of a whine.

"Juice is better for you. Besides, the caffeine will make it even harder for you to sleep," Devyn returned to the table with two china plates.

"You heard," O'Grady cringed remembered waking up screaming in the middle of the night, "sorry."

"Wanna talk about it?"

O'Grady looked at the plate of eggs and toast and bacon strips and wanted nothing more than to just eat. A glance to Devyn's concerned face forced her to at least offer an explanation.

"I've been having nightmares about..., well, the," O'Grady fumbled over the event that changed her life, "anyway, sorry I woke you."

"Don't be sorry," Devyn shook her head sadly. "You can't help it if you have nightmares, right?"

"Your new analyst is really good," O'Grady took a bite of her breakfast as she realized the woman had intellectually boxed her in. "My avoidance of the, ah, topic is most likely the source of the dreams. What is suppressed by the conscious mind during the day is freed when the unconscious mind has control."

"So, what're gonna do?" Devyn challenged.

"I'm not ready to do anything," the doctor felt her heart rate increase at the thought of exploring her assault, "yet. I will at some point; promise. Just let me settle back into my life."

Devyn shrugged. It was clear from her expression she did not like O'Grady's postponement of the inevitable but she would not argue the point on their first morning home.

"I have your schedule for the day." She hurried to explain when she saw the doctor frown, "Your Grandfather set up therapy appointments for you."

"Let's see it." O'Grady chewed her lip as she scanned the sheet handed to her, "Nurse at nine, Physical Therapy at ten, Occupational Therapy at eleven, God I hate that, Speech Therapy at noon, oh, look he's letting me have lunch at one."

The doctor crumpled the paper up and threw it across the kitchen. Devyn got up and quietly retrieved the paper. She smoothed it out on the table top after retaking her seat.

"I need this even if you don't," Devyn stared blankly at her food.

O'Grady felt very small. She vented her frustration at Devyn's expense. It was not a good start to a healthy recovery or working relationship and she knew it.

"Devyn, I'm sorry. There is no excuse for rude behavior. I'll try not to let emotions get the better of me again."

Devyn just nodded to O'Grady's offer. She continued to finish her breakfast in silence. The doctor lost her own appetite with each bite Devyn consumed.

"Devyn," O'Grady finally broke the standoff, "what do you want me to say? I apologized."

"Say that you'll talk to somebody about the stabbing."

O'Grady flinched at the word. It ripped through her composure the same way the blade slashed her skin.

"Okay," the doctor pushed down her fears, "tonight; after dinner, in the main hall, you bring the popcorn, I'll supply the horror story."

"It shouldn't be, I mean, it doesn't have to be me," Devyn shook her head in surprise.

"Oh, yeah, it does," O'Grady gave a small smile, "for now."

"Why?"

"Because you're the only one here," O'Grady winked.

The doorbell ended the conversation and breakfast. Devyn let the Visiting Nurse in and brought him to meet O'Grady. John was quite simple huge. Tall and wide with that clean cut style which made the man look like the world's biggest marine. O'Grady found the hulking man familiar but could not place him.

"We need to change those bandages, doc. Where's the best spot for you?"

"I set up everything you need in her bathroom," Devyn supplied as she returned with the wheelchair.

O'Grady winced. She hated the wheelchair almost as much as she hated as being at the mercy of caregivers. Now, she would suffer them both.

"This bathroom is bigger than my apartment," John marveled as they entered the space. "How long ago did you renovate?"

"I didn't," O'Grady mumbled remembering the two small rooms that existed in the space for decades.

"Her grandfather had it done," Devyn sat on the closed toilet seat next to O'Grady.

"Ah, Devyn, you don't need to sit through this. I'll be fine," O'Grady felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

"Oh, yes she does," John was unpacking the needed supplies from his bag. "Devyn's going to be changing the bandages from now on. This is a teaching visit. After today, I'll only be in once a week to make sure you're not getting infections."

"I can change my own bandages! I am a doctor, you know."

"Yes, a wounded doctor! And just a psychiatrist at that. You should know better than to try to treat yourself." John snorted before turning his attention to Devyn, "Here's a list of the supplies you'll need and a changing schedule. It's easier to do it while doing her bathing and dressing."

"Hey!" O'Grady shouted, "I do my own bathing and dressing."

"Well, that's good for you, isn't it," John rolled his eyes. "So, Devyn will have one less thing to do for you. After you wash yourself, Devyn'll change the bandages then you can finish dressing."

The doctor wanted nothing more than to slam the big man in the shin with her wheelchair. It was Devyn's reassuring hand on her shoulder that stopped her. O'Grady had been a childish ass once today. She did not want repeat the behavior before noon. It was not just her pride at stake but Devyn's trust. The doctor promised to try to keep a reign on her temper.

"Three wounds but only one needs daily care," he lift O'Grady's t-shirt to check the stomach wound and then examined her cheek. "Those look great. Ok, let's get a look at the real damage," John grabbed the scissors and aimed for the gauze wrapped around O'Grady's throat.

She focused her stare at the window across the room. Even with the blinds closed, unstoppable sunbeams edged their way between the slats. Beyond the torment the doctor was enduring in her own bathroom, there was sun. She concentrated on that single thought as the bandage fell away revealing the poorly healing neck wound.

"Are they planning a skin graft?" John stepped back slightly.

"Not yet," O'Grady kept her eyes on the window and her mind on the sunbeams.

"That's still pretty raw for a month on the mend," the nurse shook his head at the hideous wound that ran from slightly right of the woman's chin and up to the left ear lobe. "Must've been some blade," he tipped her chin up to get a better look at the tear which began narrow and widened on it's tortuous journey.

"John, which gauze should we use to cover it?" Devyn interrupted much to O'Grady's relief.

"Naw, it think we should use clear skin."

"NO!" O'Grady shouted. "I want it covered."

"Look, it might heal better if...,"

"NO!" The doctor pointed at the white gauze, "You'll use that or you'll get the fuck out!"

"Hey, I don't have to take that kind of shit from you!" The big guy loomed over the shaking woman and Devyn found her feet.

"John, let me finish up here. I think the two of you have hit an impasse."

"Impasse my ass, I'm out of here. Good luck, kid! See you later, Lady Doc!"

"Fucker," O'Grady shouted. "I remember you now. Nightshift. Sleeping while a restrained patient sat in her own filth all night! I fired your sorry ass on the spot. You are the laziest piece of shit...,"

"John, get out!" Devyn gently guided the enraged nurse out of the bathroom and finally out of the house.

O'Grady waited for the young woman to return. Her hands were trembling but she knew it was not really rage. She was afraid. Terrified in fact.

"You alright," Devyn touched her shoulder and the doctor jumped.

"I was so scared, I think I pissed myself," the doctor buried her face in her hands.

Devyn squeezed a shuddering shoulder. She waited until O'Grady regained herself.

"I'm sorry, I just finished saying I'd keep a lid on it...," O'Grady sniffed.

"If you didn't kick him out, I would have. Let me clean up that wound and wrap it. Then I'll check the other two," Devyn interrupted the apology. "You don't have alot of time before your next appointment."

The doctor sat in silence while her wounds were tended. Her embarrassment was so great, she could not make direct eye contact with the young woman providing the gentle care. O'Grady was certain the site of her injuries disgusted Devyn but she saw no sign of distress in the fair features.

"Hey, record time," Devyn smiled brightly. "We could squeeze in a cup of tea on the porch before physical therapy."

"Outside," O'Grady sighed at the thought of the chilly, salty morning air filling her lungs, "that would be so great that I could even drink tea."

* * *

Devyn answered the phone before the first ring finished its chime. O'Grady had been sleeping a few minutes after hours of tedious and painful therapy. The blonde would not allow her rest to be disturbed by the outside world.

"This is Professor Vontz's office, please hold," the voice at the other end snapped before Devyn could greet them.

Devyn debated hanging up as the chamber music filled the earpiece. Just as she was about to return the phone to the cradle the music stopped.

"Doctor?" An older male voice questioned.

"No, Dr. O'Grady is unavailable. Who's this?"

"I want to speak with my granddaughter, bring her the phone," he commanded.

"No, sir. Dr. O'Grady can not be disturbed. Are you Professor Vontz?"

"Ms. Tannon, I will explain your situation this one time only. You work for the estate. I sign the paychecks for the estate so you do as I say. Now, put my granddaughter on the phone."

"No, sir, I can't do that. Dr. O'Grady left specific instructions and I intend to carry them out," Devyn took a deep breath, "even if it costs me my job, sir."

Devyn hung up the phone and turned the volume down on the ringer.

* * *

O'Grady's slumber was anything but restful. Her body was worn out from the exercises to make stronger. But, her mind was desperate to escape. It kept urging her to flee the danger. Surely, the blade would slice her again and this time it would spray the last of her blood on the hospital walls.

"JESUS!" She screamed but it did little to break the nightmare's hold.

"Hey, it's okay, O'Grady, wake up," the words broke through after several moments of thrashing.

"Devyn?" The doctor blinked to adjust her eyes in the fading afternoon light, "God, I feel more tired now than when I went to bed." She let her body fall back on the sweat soaked sheets, "Ooooh icky."

"Come on," Devyn chuckled as she got up, "get in your chair and I'll change your sheets. You could sleep for another hour or so before dinner if you want."

"Umm, I'd rather, ah," O'Grady pushed her tired body to sit upright at the side of the bed, "change my clothes," she tugged on the sweaty t-shirt for emphasis, "but I'm gonna need a hand."

"Sure thing. Want sweats?" The doctor weakly nodded her reply. "Let me get a basin of water and I'll give you a quick wash up."

"Please don't," O'Grady grabbed Devyn's hand to keep her from leaving. "It's embarrassing enough that I need you to help dress me. Don't humiliate me by bathing me."

"Well, Doc," Devyn flounced down on the bed next to the discouraged woman, "I got you beat hands down in the humiliation department. Let's see; beaten, naked, and chained to a gurney, beaten, naked, and restrained in a locked room, arrested for conspiracy with your assault,..." Devyn listed the events off on her fingers until O'Grady could stand it no longer.

"I get your point," the doctor raised her hands in surrender, "but I'd rather skip the bathing, please. For that matter, I could skip dinner too."

"So, you gonna skip everything tonight," Devyn took her hand back from the doctor's grasp. Disappointment was evident in her voice.

"Yeah, I want to skip everything," O'Grady reached over and took Devyn's hand back in her own, forcing the woman to face her. "Let's skip right ahead to the popcorn and horror story."

"Serious."

"Yes."

"Then let me get you dressed before I toss a bag in the microwave," Devyn smiled in relief.

"Devyn," O'Grady squeezed the hand in her own, "thank you."

It took Devyn fifteen minutes to help O'Grady towel off and change her clothes. The blonde sent the doctor on her way to the main hall while she changed the bed linens. O'Grady barely had time to lock the brakes of her wheelchair when Devyn entered carrying a comforter. The woman spread the downy blanket next to the wheelchair.

"I think you'll need a few more therapy sessions before you can join me on the floor," Devyn puckered her lips in thought.

"Or, I can have the warehouse send over some furniture," O'Grady saw the question coming and explained. "The estate has multiple properties and the Professor frequently redecorates. Better pieces are sent to the warehouse 'just in case.' Decorating my house would be a 'just in case' event. There's a catalog in my office upstairs. We can look at it tomorrow. I just never got around to it."

"Sounds good," a ding from the kitchen snapped Devyn's attention back to the kitchen. "Popcorn! What do you want to drink?"

"Is there root beer?" O'Grady crossed her fingers.

"Funny, Alby brought made a second trip because it got left in the trunk. By the way, you should see the groceries your grandfather sent," Devyn's voice began to fade as she went to retrieve the snacks.

"Just wait and see what ease he does."

O'Grady shook her head ruefully as gazed out at the ocean. The sky was burning pink from what must be a furious sunset on west side of the house. This was O'Grady's favorite spot and favorite time of day. Her work often made her miss these singular events. How ironic it almost took her death to get her where she wanted to be most. O'Grady's morbid thoughts distracted her from the couple strolling slowly along her private beach.

"Okay, bottle for you," Devyn handed the root beer to the delighted Doctor and started settled down on the blanket. "Almost forgot. Your grandfather sent this over with the groceries."

Devyn hand O'Grady the sealed envelope. The doctor tucked her bottle between her thighs to tear open the message. A huge grin spread across her face.

"Seems the Professor wanted to fire you but found out you don't work for the estate. So, he wants me to send your social security number, CORI check, W2, etc, in order for the estate to hire you." O'Grady chuckled at Devyn's drop jaw expression, "Then, he will fire you."

"You're joking, right?" Devyn could not believe the absurd request.

"Read for yourself," O'Grady handed the letter over and took a long swig of root beer.

"He's not serious?" Devyn questioned.

"Sure he is. Don't worry. This is exactly why I didn't have the estate hire you. You work for me. And thank you for not waking me up," O'Grady winked.

"The letter says he's expecting you for dinner tomorrow. Alby will be here at 5:30 to pick you up. Does 'dress properly' mean I need to iron something for you?"

"I'm not going."

"Ah, O'Grady, I don't want to interfere with you and your family but if you don't go see him then he'll come here. It might be easier to go to his house because you can leave when you want."

"Shit," the doctor's eyes narrowed. "Why do you have to be right? Fine, I'll go but I wear what I want and, and,...," a wicked smirk crossed her face, "you're coming too. No, no excuses. I may need assistance cutting my food."

"Maybe you shouldn't go?" Devyn shrugged.

"Ha, too late. We're going but I'll let you wear whatever you want."

"Okay, we'll go," Devyn bit her lip and rolled her eyes. "How 'bout that story?"

"Right," O'Grady nodded, "where should I start?"

"Start where I last saw you, leaving the locked unit in a hurry."

"I got a stat page to the ER. Betsy, needed a commitment on a real sick teenager. It was going smoothly. I was finishing up with kid when his mother storms in and wants to drag him out," O'Grady paused expecting Devyn to interrupt but the woman sat patiently. "Seemed the mother had a trick set up for her son and I was screwing up the family business. I..., should paid closer attention," the doctor's hand rubbed her check. "I didn't see the knife until after she cut my face."

"What happened next?" Devyn sensed O'Grady wanted to stop.

"She slashed my neck and gutted me like a pig. I don't even remember hitting the floor," the injured woman stared out the window at the darkening sky and still missed the couple sitting in the sand on her private beach, facing her house.

"What do you remember?"

"I remember," O'Grady gasped, "my blood soaking my clothes, hands, the floor, too much, I was losing too much, and then Betsy shoved her finger in ...God, I was dying."

O'Grady was racked with sobs. In seconds, Devyn had her by the shoulders and was stroking her hair. She let the doctor cry out her fears and rage. Like a summer storm, O'Grady's emotions were wild in their intensity but ran their course quickly. Her tears were slowing when Devyn released her hold in search of tissue. Movement on the beach caught her eye but it was too dark see. She decided O'Grady was more important than trespassers.

"Triple ply or with soothing lotion," Devyn held out the boxes.

"Oh, he's in rare form," O'Grady laughed between her tears pulling a tissue from each.

"Think this will help you at all?" Devyn sat back on the floor.

"It's a start. You gotta start somewhere. Thanks for listening."

"Just think of it as returning a favor," Devyn flashed a bright smile.

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