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Post by taran on Jan 20, 2009 15:41:31 GMT -5
Bruce smiled at Kia, holding her in his arms as he looked deeply into her very soul.
"And I never will, my love," he said, softly kissing her cheek as he laid back to relax. "I'll never be parted from you."
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Post by micaylah on Jan 20, 2009 19:04:53 GMT -5
Kia closed her eyes, enjoying the gentle breeze of the day and the feel of Bruce’s body close to hers. She smiled softly as she heard the cathedral bells toll the noon hour. Soon the streets around them would begin to bustle with activity. The street musicians were beginning to gather as the other performers and artists staked out their ground. “I have to leave for a while tonight. It will be early morning before I return. My work this evening will take me to the people on the streets. You’re welcome to stay here while I’m gone.”
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Post by taran on Jan 20, 2009 21:38:07 GMT -5
Bruce looked over at Kia, frowning slightly. Then worry crossed his face.
"What kind of work?" he asked, standing up and dressing, his eyes never leaving her. "Was this. . .just a game? Practice? Please tell me it wasn't." He finished dressing and took a few steps back.
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Post by micaylah on Jan 20, 2009 22:11:55 GMT -5
Kia watched as Bruce reacted strangely. As he finished speaking anger began to rise within her. She stood up, pulling on her clothes quickly as she took two steps toward him. Her face turned a faint shade of red as she fought the urge to slap him. Instead she stepped around him and into the kitchen. She yelled back at him through the French doors as she rustled about gathering supplies.
She pulled the long white lab coat over her street clothes, put on her glasses and walked back out the doors. She handed him a pamphlet then turned and walked back into the house. The pamphlet was a flier for the soup kitchen and free clinic that she manned in the evenings in a rough section of the quarter. The clinic hours ran from 4pm to 1am and was the only medical care that was available to the homeless and low income families in the area. The rest were many bus rides away from their neighborhoods.
Kia flopped down in a chair at the table as she held her head in her hands. “I thought you were different.” She said softly. “How could I have been so wrong about you?”
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Post by douglas9465 on Jan 20, 2009 22:17:36 GMT -5
A tear ran down his eye at the thought of being able to keep Salgou. He touched her cheek softly as he tended to her wound. "Maybe one day, we can be more than friends." He said as he kissed her cheek.
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Post by taran on Jan 21, 2009 1:11:09 GMT -5
Bruce nearly turned clear at Kia's words and explanation. He stood for a moment, looking down at the pamphlet in his hands.
"Kia," he said softly as he walked into the kitchen but did not touch her or move to. "I'm sorry. It's just that. . .every time I've been here, and a woman I've cared about even a little has mentioned going to work at night. . .it's always been for soliciting. I don't know how I could show you how sorry I am. I shouldn't have judged in any way. Past experiences got in the way between reasoning and all. I don't want you to think I'm a pig, or always think ill of people. That's not who I am. I don't know how to say sorry in another way. If you want, I'll leave, as much as I don't want to. I'll leave you and you wont ever have to see me again. I love you, Kia, but if you don't love me I'll leave you if that's what you want."
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Post by micaylah on Jan 21, 2009 8:34:39 GMT -5
Kia turned to look at him with hurt in her eyes. “That is what most people see here.” She said as she softly shook her head. “There is more to the people here than that.” She rose to stand before Bruce. “I love you and I do not want you to leave. Come with me and I will show you what you expect to see and something more.” Kia took the box and handed it to Bruce. She grabbed a large, zippered bag and led him out the door onto the street. She turned and pulled the shutters across the opening to the door, placing the padlock in its resting place before heading down the street and around the corner.
She stopped before another slim building with a padlocked door and removed the lock opening the shutters on the door and the windows slowly. She led to a room in the back and gestured for him to put the supplies on the counter. A bustle of people soon began gathering as the patrons and volunteers began to arrive. Within the hour, the building was filled to capacity with many more still in the street outside waiting to come in. Kia spoke softly to Bruce, “Jump in and help out or visit. I have to get to work.” She moved to a family sitting at a table as they ate the simple meal the kitchen had to offer. “Alana,” she said smiling as she took the hand of the older woman. “How are you?” The woman smiled at seeing Kia and immediately began to tell her about her grandchildren’s school play. Kia smiled warmly then excused herself as a young boy came tugging on her coat tail.
“Well Devon. How are you this fine evening?” The boy smiled and gestured to his sister. Kia turned and walked with him to the girl. She sat in a chair outside the hall to the clinic.
“Alicia? Are you all right?” The girl appeared to be around 10 and she looked at Kia with a small smile.
“My throat hurts.” She told her with a grimace as she swallowed.
Kia gently felt the glands in the girl’s throat. She smiled as she took her hand. “Come on back. We’ll get a better look and see what we can do to get you feeling better.”
They emerged a short time later as Kia gave Devon instructions. “Come back to the clinic in three days so someone can recheck her alright?” Devon smiled, nodding his head and making a fist bumped it with Kia’s. She laughed and waved as they left.
Kia found Bruce as she felt his eyes on her. She moved to where he was and told him softly. “Devon’s mom works evenings at a restaurant here in the quarter. Devon takes care of his sister while she’s at work. He hasn’t spoken a word since the hurricane hit a few years ago. He was in an attic with Alicia, his little brother Damian, his mom and grandma. His little brother died in his arms while they waited for help and his grandma died soon after they were rescued.”
**************************************************
"Maybe," Mica said as she felt Doug's kiss on her cheek. "Right now I just want to sleep." She told him as she felt the weariness and strain of the night take its toll."
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Post by taran on Jan 21, 2009 15:11:43 GMT -5
Bruce smiled at Kia as she worked, lending his own skills where they could be applied even though he did not truly know what to do for some requests.
"Kia," he said, putting a hand gently on her shoulder. "I'm sorry. This, this right here. All of this. It's more important than anything I've seen in a long time. You said you weren't sure what to do some times. This is what you are meant to do. To take care of people who cannot always fend for themselves is a higher calling than even the Hunter can hope to find."
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Post by micaylah on Jan 21, 2009 16:55:20 GMT -5
Kia smiled softly. “This is nothing. The Hunter helps to secure there safety and well-being in ways they don’t even realize. This here, this is in every city no matter the size. I just do what I can, touch one person at a time in a positive way. At least I try to.” She looked around as the people started drifting out. “Well it’s time to lock up and call it a day. Are you hungry? There’s anything you could imagine to eat within walking distance or we can go back to the house.”
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Post by douglas9465 on Jan 21, 2009 22:04:15 GMT -5
Doug ran his hands through her hair as he spoke to her. "Sleep now, darling." He whispered as he watched her fall off to sleep.
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Post by micaylah on Jan 21, 2009 23:07:50 GMT -5
Mica stirred restlessly on top of the table. She opened her eyes seeing Doug still beside her. "I'm going to the spare room." she said as she moved to sit up. Mica grabbed her head with a hand as she gathered her bearings. She slipped from the table and started toward the room with a wobbly gait.
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Post by taran on Jan 22, 2009 15:26:37 GMT -5
Bruce smiled at Kia, not saying what immediately came to his mind.
"But this IS important, Kia," he said. "Even if you only touch one life and make a difference in that life, your own is fulfilled."
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Post by micaylah on Jan 22, 2009 19:46:52 GMT -5
Kia smiled. “They make me feel like family. It makes me happy to spend time with them too.” She waved as the last of the volunteers left and moved outside with Bruce. She pulled the shutters over the windows and the door and placed the padlock back in place. Her hand rose to the pins holding her hair up and she let it loose then shook it out. She took of the glasses and put them in the pocket of her lab coat. “Now then. Out to eat or back home?”
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Post by taran on Jan 22, 2009 20:43:39 GMT -5
Bruce smiled at Kia, taking her hand in his and kissing her cheek softly.
"My treat," he said, leading her down the road. "Dinner. I wronged you. I'll buy you dinner and anything else you wish. . . so long as it's within reason."
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Post by micaylah on Jan 22, 2009 22:41:43 GMT -5
Kia smiled at him shaking her head softly. “I think dinner will be fine. I don’t need you to buy me anything else.” She led him back toward her house but instead of turning in, they walked a block past and turned onto a very busy street. This late the street was still filled with people frequenting the clubs and the cabarets. She looked at him, squeezing his hand. “Just remember, this is but one side of this city.” She told him softly as she put her arm around his waist. They turned in to a small all night diner and she led him to a table in the back. “The food here is good and reasonable.” The man behind the counter glanced at Kia and waved as he smiled widely. “Ah Cherie, I wondered if you would be gracing my sight this night.” He looked at Bruce and his eyes narrowed for a minute. “Who would be your friend Cher.” Kia smiled as the sat down at the table. “This is Bruce and more than a friend.” She said as she looked at Bruce with love in her eyes. “Bruce, my friend Justin Devareux.”
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