BLOODLINES - Chapter 03

Emily felt excitement running through her at Zander's words. "What do you remember about the rose garden?" she prompted.

Swiping at his eyes with the back of one hand, Zander shrugged. "I'm not sure. It's like this picture in my head. I can see this fountain and she had beautiful roses. Lavender colored."

"Those are rare," Emily stated. She knew because Lila had them in her garden.

"They were beautiful." Zander got up and began to pace. "It seems so clear yet...fuzzy. I'm starting to wonder if it's really a memory or just something I imagined. You know...because I want it to be real."

Emily went to him so he had to stop pacing. She smoothed back the errant lock of hair the fell over his forehead and marveled at how soft and silky it felt. Then she locked eyes with him and said, "I think it's real, Zander."

He smiled at her. "Thank you for saying that. I'm sure Dr. Morales would tell me I'm just projecting my dreams or some such psycho-babble."

"Don't let him get to you," Emily insisted. She wanted to offer more reassurances, but she was finding it hard to focus. She really wasn't herself. "I wish I could stay and chat, but I'm feeling kind of off, and if I am getting sick I don't want to give it to you."

"I wouldn't mind," Zander said warmly. "But I hope you feel better."

She nodded. "I'm sure I will. See you tomorrow."

Zander smiled. "I look forward to it."

"Goodnight," Emily said with a wave, then she left. She hadn't wanted to go but she was feeling funny again, and she really did not want to risk getting Zander sick. So she headed home and went straight to bed, falling instantly asleep.



Jason studied the pictures of Zander that Emily had sent him. He frowned at the image of the young man. He was surprisingly beautiful, and Jason figured that that was much of his allure for Emily. But Zander was also surprisingly familiar to Jason and he reached for his cell phone. It was time to make a call.



Zander had eaten his supper and so was allowed to spend time in the Rec room. There were a few programs that he enjoyed watching on the TV, but tonight he was having trouble concentrating on them. He didn't feel well and he wondered if, maybe, whatever illness that had afflicted Emily was now afflicting him. After trying to ignore the nausea that twisted his insides, Zander found himself making a run to the bathroom. He barely made it in time to empty his stomach into the toilet. When he was done he felt light headed and weak and simply sat there for a while. Finally he was able to stand, and he made his way to the sink to rinse out his mouth and splash cold water on his face. He had a stick of mint gum in his pocket, his one true vice, and he chewed it gratefully.

Eventually, Zander was able to leave the bathroom, but he found that he was still lightheaded and he didn't make it too far down the hallway before his knees buckled and he slid down the wall to sit on the floor.

Eddie found him there. "Where have you been, Zander? Everyone has been looking for you?"

"I...I don't feel well," Zander whispered.

"You don't look well," Eddie stated. He grabbed Zander by the arm and hauled him to his feet. "I'll take you back to your room."

Zander nodded. For once he wasn't in the mood to give Eddie a hard time. In fact, he was grateful for the other man's arm around his waist. The walk to his room seemed to take hours and Zander was shaking by the time they got there. He let Eddie help him onto his bed and it felt wonderful to curl up and close his eyes.

Eddie studied him for a moment. "I'm going to get the nurse to check on you," he stated.

"Whatever," Zander mumbled. He just wanted to sleep. But nausea was churning in his stomach again. He didn't notice Eddie leave the room. He must have dozed off, but then he heard the nurse's voice calling his name. Zander opened his eyes and Nurse Karen was smiling at him and holding out a medicine cup and a cup of water.

"Take this, Zander," Karen said. "You'll feel better."

He managed to sit up and his stomach protested. But with Karen's help, Zander was able to swallow the pills and, to his surprise, it wasn't long before the nausea eased. He thanked her then closed his eyes again and drifted off to sleep.



Eddie worked a double shift and before leaving, he entered Zander's room. He was already wearing his jacket so that he could hit the streets, and from the pocket he pulled out a capped syringe and an alcohol wipe in a foil packet. Eddie opened the wipe and swiped a spot on Zander's shoulder, then he uncapped the syringe, tapped the side, then gave him an injection. He held his breath when Zander stirred, then recapped the syringe and stuffed it in his pocket along with the used wipe. Zander's eyes remained closed. Eddie was just turning to leave when a figure appeared in the doorway.

Karen glared at Eddie. "What are you doing here? Isn't your shift over?"

"Isn't yours?" Eddie shot back. " I thought you left hours ago?"

"I did," Karen replied, as she slipped past him and moved to Zander's bedside. "But Lisa called in so I offered to work her shift. Tomorrow is my scheduled day off anyway." She looked at Zander and fussed with his covers, then turned to Eddie. "So what are you doing in here?"

Eddie shrugged. "I just wanted to check on the kid. He seems better."

Karen studied Zander then nodded. "He should be fine. It was probably just some virus."

"Yeah...whatever." Eddie headed for the door. "Night." He was gone before she could say another word, a grim expression on his face.

Karen watched him go, then turned back to Zander. She smoothed his hair back and smiled. "Sweet dreams," she whispered, then she left as well, closing the door behind her.



Emily woke up feeling herself again. Her stomach had bothered her a bit during the night, but nothing major. She got up, showered, dressed and had breakfast, eager to head to RoseWood. To see Zander. But first she called Jason and was a bit disappointed that he had nothing to tell her yet. But Emily was still smiling as she entered the facility and headed straight for Zander's room. She was surprised to find him still sleeping. Emily slipped out of the room and went to the front desk. Judy was working and Emily asked her about Zander. "Is he okay?"

"He was sick last night," Judy replied. "Some kind of virus or bug. So he's probably worn out."

"Oh. But he's all right now, right?"

Judy nodded. "Should be. Why don't you make your rounds then check on him again."

Emily smiled. "I'll do that." And as she headed off she wondered if whatever had made her feel off last night, was the same thing that had made Zander sick, only affecting him more severely. Emily hoped not. She did her rounds and was pleased to see that Zander was up when she returned to his room. But he looked a bit pale. "I hope I didn't make you sick," Emily said after they greeted each other.

"You look like you feel okay," Zander countered. "You look beautiful in blue."

"Thanks." Emily blushed a bit as she ran her hand over the blue top she was wearing. "Feel up to some breakfast?"

Zander made a face. "Maybe some juice?"

Emily nodded. "I"ll get it." She left, but was back in a moment with some orange juice."

"Thanks." Zander accepted it and took a sip.

"Can I get you anything else?" Emily asked, as she watched him. In spite of being a bit pale he was still so gorgeous that it made her toes curl. She felt a bit like a teenager with a crush on a rock star.

Zander shook his head. "Nope...I'm good."

Eddie appeared suddenly, frowning at Emily. Then he looked at Zander. "Time for your session with Dr. Morales."

"Okay," Zander replied. He looked at Emily. "Can we meet for lunch again?"

"Sure," Emily replied. She had been hoping they could do that. "I'll meet you in the garden. It's a beautiful day." She watched him smile then head out with Eddie. Then Emily left and she was smiling as well. She knew she shouldn't let herself get too attached to Zander, but she couldn't help it. He was different than any other guy she had ever met. Different in a good way. And she wanted to help him if she could. And if they got to be friends during the process, or even more, then so be it. Emily's heart and soul were telling her that Zander was a good man. And she wanted to help him. And she would help him, Emily vowed, as she headed off to help the patient down the hall find her glasses.



Two days passed and Emily was happy. She and Zander had lunch both days, and she traded meals with him, which was fun because no matter what Emily brought, Zander was delighted by it. And they talked a lot about everything. But what was most surprising to Emily was Zander's thoughts about the future. About having children and where he wanted to live and things like that. Emily smiled as he told her he hoped to have three or four kids someday, his wife willing. And that he wanted to live on the beach and he would love to honeymoon in Mexico. It was almost eerie, but Emily shared those same dreams. She wanted lots of kids, to live on the water and she had always dreamed of a honeymoon in Mexico. And she told Zander as much. Emily knew it was crazy to let herself get so close to Zander, but she couldn't help it. She felt like they were kindred souls in so many ways. Like this was meant to be.

She hated when her shift ended and she had to leave. She also hated the fact that she couldn't seem to shake feeling logy and unfocused. And Zander admitted to still feeling sick, though not as severely as he had been two days ago. And it wasn't until the third day of this that it hit Emily. She had started feeling this way the first day she traded lunch with Zander. So when he wasn't looking, Emily slipped the small container of applesauce into her pocket and the moment her shift ended, she headed off to see Jason. He still didn't have anything for her in regards to Zander, but he told her he was busy with business for Sonny so he hadn't had much time to devote to the other task. But he did take the applesauce and got it tested for her.

That night Emily paced in her room until Jason called. Not surprisingly, the food was drugged. Emily thanked Jason then hung up the phone. She felt angry at the thought of Zander being drugged, and she could guess at who was doing it. Eddie. He had been so insistent about Zander eating. Grabbing her purse and keys, Emily headed out the door. She didn't care that it was late. She had to see Zander.

But when she got to Rosewood and entered Zander's room, it was empty. Emily ran to the front desk. "Where's Zander?" she asked.

Karen looked at her with sad eyes. "He's in the hospital wing?"

"Is he sick again?" Emily asked. It wouldn't have surprised her.

"No, he's not...sick," Karen replied.

Emily felt fear wash over her. "What happened?"

Karen sighed. "I'm sorry, Emily. But Zander tried to kill himself."

"What? No!" Emily shook her head. "He wouldn't do that!" She knew in her heart that Zander wasn't suicidal.

"Emily..." Karen came around the desk, put an arm around Emily's shoulders, and led her over to a nearby chair. "I tried to warn you not to get attached to Zander. You don't seem to realize that he's a deeply troubled young man. That's why he's here."

Emily didn't believe that. "What happened?" she demanded.

Karen hesitated then said, "He managed to break into the contraband locker and stole a knife. He sliced his wrists open, Emily. I'm sorry."

"No..." Emily whispered, as she blinked back tears. She didn't want to believe this. "Is he all right?"

"Eddie found him in time, but he lost a fair amount of blood."

Emily stood up. "Can I see him?" She had to make sure he was all right. She had to see him breathing.

Karen made a face then nodded. "All right, but only for a few minutes." She led Emily into the hospital wing and unlocked the door to Zander's room.

"Ten minutes?" Emily pleaded.

"Ten minutes," Karen allowed, then she slipped out of the room.

Emily moved to the bed, her eyes locked on Zander's face for a long time. She leaned in to listen to him breathing then she pulled back and studied him. She noticed the loose restraints but her eyes focused on the white bandages on his wrists. "Why, Zander?" Emily whispered, then buried her face in her hands as she fought back tears.


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