Chapter Nine-- Family Reunion

 

Julie felt emotionally drained. The sudden loudness of her stomach growling reminded her of a forgotten fact. “I'm starving,” she voiced.

“That's my girl; always hungry,” Austin said.

“Austin!” Julie shouted, melting into his embrace.

“You were expecting someone else?” he laughed.

“No... I just... what are you doing here?” she asked.

“Actually, I came by to get the key to your apartment,” Austin confessed.

“Why?” Julie asked.

“It's a surprise,” Austin whispered in her ear.

“No way, Austin. I know you and your surprises. Big screen televisions... stereos.... nah-ah, not happening,” she said.

“I promise, it's nothing like that.” Austin laughed. Julie folded her arms. “Aw, c'mon, Jules,” Austin said, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Please, I guarantee you'll love it,” he whispered in her ear.

“Austin,” Julie sighed.

“Nothing over the top, I swear,” he said, nuzzling her ear.

“Can't you tell me what it is?” she asked, her resolve quickly melting.

“Then it wouldn't be a surprise,” he said, kissing her neck.

“You don't play fair,” Julie moaned.

“Making out in the hallway in a no-no,” Joy sang as she passed them. Austin and Julie smiled as Joy continued down the hall. It was then that Julie noticed Doctor Samson coming toward them, a strange look on his face.

“Austin, is that you?” Marcus asked.

“Holy cow! Marcus, dude! What are you doing here?” Austin smiled, shaking his hand.

“I'm starting my residency here. I forgot you lived down this way. What are you doing here?” Marcus asked.

“My girlfriend works here,” Austin answered, putting his arm around Julie.

Marcus looked from Austin to Julie, a puzzled look on his face. The expression on Julie's face was similar.

“How do you two know each other?” Julie asked.

“Marcus is my cousin,” Austin said.

“Cousin?” Julie asked, her eyes on Marcus.

“Third... fourth... fifth cousin, um... I forget exactly. I'm not that great on our family tree,” Austin confessed.

“Small world.” Marcus laughed. “I'll have to take you two out to dinner so we can catch up,” he said.

“That'd be cool, but another night. I have something special planned for my girl tonight,” Austin explained.

“Well, then, Julie and I could forgo our meeting. I don't want to interfere with your special plans,” Marcus said, a slight smile on his face.

“No, Doctor Samson, that won't be necessary. I know how important this meeting is,” Julie tried to keep her calm.

“A meeting? No, that's fine. I need time to set up anyway” Austin reassured.

“Which reminds me,” Austin said, holding out his hand. “Please?” he smiled. Julie's head was swimming. The smirk on Marcus' face wasn't helping her stay the panic attack that was building. “Jules? You okay?” Austin asked.

No, I'm not! she screamed inside her head. “Yes, I'm... I'm fine,” she replied, remembering why Austin held his hand out. “It's in my locker,” she told him. “Can you come with me to get it?” Julie asked. She had to talk with Marcus, but didn't trust him alone with Austin. Julie wasn't sure what the revelation that they were cousins had meant, but she wanted answers from Marcus before any more surprises surfaced.

“Sure,” Austin replied. “Dude, we'll catch up real soon,” Austin said, shaking Marcus' hand.

“I've no doubt,” he answered.

“See you shortly, Julie,” Marcus said, his smile wide. Julie did not return the smile and fought the urge to rid him of his. She took Austin's hand and led him toward the locker room.

“Jules, don't take this the wrong way, but you are acting kind of strange,” Austin said.

“I know. I'm sorry. I'm just... grumpy,” she said as her stomach growled loudly.

“When was the last time you ate?” Austin asked. Julie stopped just outside the locker room.

“I... um... wait...” she thought. “I bought a bagel this morning,” Julie remembered.

“You didn't eat it,” Neal said, suddenly beside them. “Austin, man, you gotta take better care of her. She's been out of it all day, getting hurt and everything,” Neal confessed. Julie scowled at him.

“You got hurt?” Austin asked her.

“No, I didn't,” Julie said.

“Yeah, you did. You were unconscious and everything,” Neal confirmed.

Shut up Neal, Julie thought.

“Julie, why didn't you tell me?” Austin questioned.

“Because it didn't happen. Neal's exaggerating,” Julie glared at Neal.

“I found you...” Neal began to elaborate.

“Enough, Neal. Don't you have something you should be doing?” Julie's voice was stern.

“It's okay, buddy. Thanks,” Austin replied, patting Neal on the back. He knew Julie would tell him the whole story eventually and didn't want her getting upset. He also knew he could talk to Neal privately later, if need be. Neal meandered off. Austin waited to see if Julie would clarify anything.

“I just got dizzy because I hadn't eaten, that's all. I'm fine,” Julie stated.

Austin grabbed Julie's hand. “C'mon, first thing's first,” he said. Austin lead Julie to the vending machines around the corner.

“Austin,” Julie said as he put the money in the machine.

“Hush,” Austin said, pushing a button for a protein bar. “Eat,” he ordered, handing her the bar. “This will hold you over until I can get some real food in you,” he said.

Julie was about to challenge him on the matter when her stomach protested the thought. “Fine,” she grumbled, unwrapping the bar and taking a bite. “Happy?” she mumbled while chewing.

“Don't talk with your mouth full,” he chided. Julie scowled making him laugh. He put additional money in the machine and handed her a small carton of milk.

“I can do this myself,” Julie said, accepting the carton.

“Then why didn't you?” Austin asked. Julie didn't answer; anything she could say would just be an excuse. Austin waited until she was finished everything before speaking.“Feel better?” he asked. Julie nodded, frowning. She did feel better. “Julie, I care about you. I need you to care about you ,too,” Austin said, placing his hands on her face.

“I know,” she answered softly. He pulled her into an embrace. Julie wrapped her arms around Austin. She felt comfortable. She hoped her feelings wouldn't change after talking with Marcus. Austin pulled back slowly, resting his forehead on hers.

“What am I going to do with you?” He laughed lightly.

“I can think of a few things,” Julie said, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Sweet temptation,” Austin breathed as their lips met.

“Julie Miller! This is inappropriate behavior for a hospital corridor,” Nurse Hacher spoke firmly, jostling the both of them.

“I'm sorry,” Julie said, quickly moving away from Austin. “I'll be right back,” Julie told Austin, as she ducked into the locker room.

Austin grinned at Nurse Hacher. He was familiar with the woman who had previously been the school nurse. “Wipe that smirk off your face, Mr. Dorsett. I'm sure your mother would not be happy to hear of your behavior here,” she scolded.

“I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be, either, Nurse Hacher,” Austin replied.

Julie quickly returned and handed Austin the key. “Go,” she ushered.

“Later,” Austin said, stealing one more kiss before he left.

Nurse Hacher folded her arms and looked disapprovingly at Julie. “I had hoped you were a bit more mature than some of the other younger people that work here, Julie. Was I wrong in my assumption?” she asked.

“No, ma'am. I had a momentary lack of good judgment,” Julie explained.

“See that it does not happen again,” Nurse Hacher admonished.

“It won't,” she promised. The nurse looked at her watch.

“Your shift is almost over. You're dismissed,” she said.

“Thank you,” Julie accepted and went back into the locker room to change.

She made her way to Doctor Elsworth's office for the meeting with Marcus. She had so many questions and didn't know which ones to ask first. Marcus' comments were swirling around in her head. Human parts... Uncle G... cousins. She was lost in thought and bumped right into Eli, who then steadied her with his hands. “Sorry.” She blushed at her inattentiveness. Eli smiled.

“You heading to your meeting?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she answered. “I have so many questions. I don't know which one to ask first,” she sighed.

“Be sure to keep your guard up,” he reminded.

“I will,” she said before continuing on her way to his office.

Eli watched her for a moment before turning to continue down the hall. His turn was met with a grinning Marcus. He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt; his shift was over. “I don't know, Doc. If you want her, you are going to have to work a little harder. You've got competition,” he laughed.

“Is that a threat?” Eli challenged.

“Not from me,” Marcus said, raising his hands. “Of course, if I wanted her, I could easily get her,” he added snidely. Eli grabbed Doctor Samson by the arm and dragged him into a nearby conference room. Once out of sight of witnesses, he pinned Marcus against the wall.

“You think this is some kind of game, Doctor Samson?” Eli seethed.

“If it was, you'd be down a few points,” Marcus teased.

Eli found himself unable to control his temper. He flung Marcus across the table and raised his fist. “You can beat me up all you want, Doc, it won't matter. I'll heal quicker than she does,” Marcus reminded. Eli let go of Marcus and turned his back on him before his rage could take Marcus up on his offer.

Marcus slid off the table and smoothed his shirt. “Look, Eli. I wasn't trying to make you angry. I just wanted to tell you that she looked awful cozy with my cousin, and if you were planning on...” Marcus' telling was interrupted.

“Your cousin?” Eli questioned.

Marcus bit his lip. He had revealed too much. “Doesn't matter,” he said, trying to leave the room. Eli blocked his way.“Are you going to threaten violence again, Doc?” Marcus said with a crooked smile. Eli stared him down.“You're not of my world. Hell, you're not even of this one. I don't expect you to enlighten me into your ways and I don't intend to tell you about mine,” Marcus stated. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm late for my date,” he finished with a sarcastic grin.

Eli realized he was not going to get anything more from Marcus. He was, however, not going to send him off without a caution. Stepping closer, his face a mere inches from Marcus', he warned, “You hurt her in any way and I promise you, I will make sure you will need weeks of healing time to recover.”

“Message received,” Marcus said. He stepped around Eli and opened the door.

 

Back in the hallway, Marcus headed toward Eli's office and his meeting with Julie. Hope you are up for a battle, cousin, he thought. As he approached the office, Marcus could feel Julie's lure. “Gotta teach you volume control,” he said before opening the door.

Julie was sitting and reading one of Eli's medical journals that he kept on a bookcase in his office. She was so engrossed in the book that she did not hear the door open.

Marcus was able to get close enough to breathe in her ear. “Boo,” he whispered. Julie reacted by jumping off the sofa with the thick book held high above her head. “See, now that's how you should've reacted the minute I walked in the door. For someone on the run, you're an easy target,” Marcus laughed.

“You didn't have to sneak up on me,” Julie frowned.

“I didn't, but that's besides the point. I could track you from down the hall. Do you keep the Lure on twenty-four seven?” Marcus asked her.

“I don't even know what you mean by 'Lure'. What is that?” she asked him.

“You expect me to believe you have no idea what that is?” Marcus laughed loudly.

Julie was insulted. “I told you earlier, I know nothing about any of my abilities. Whatever I've garnered, it's from experimenting. This 'Lure' is not anything I know of or have practiced using. I really don't appreciate you ridiculing me,” Julie ranted.

Marcus was suddenly in front of her. “Let's try a little experiment, shall we?” he said, taking her hand.

“No,” she said, backing up into Eli's desk. Marcus stared at her. His voice was silent but his eyes were focused on her. “What are you doing?” she asked.

“What are you feeling?” he asked. His voice seemed deeper to her.

Julie felt a warm, tingling feeling. It spread throughout her body. “Stop that,” she said. The feelings were making her uncomfortable.

“Why? This is the same level of intensity I feel from you,” Marcus explained.

“I don't understand. How am I doing it?” she asked.

“Find it. Control it,” Marcus said.

Julie closed her eyes. She amazed herself by going inside her body, this time without Marcus. She discovered the source and pulled it back. Her eyes snapped open. “I think I did it,” she smiled. Marcus pulled back his own.

“Yes, you did. I don't feel it anymore,” he confirmed.

“Now push it back out again, only stronger. I want to show you what else it can do,” he instructed. Julie hesitated at first, but her curiosity got the better of her. She followed his instructions. Julie pushed out from the source as strong as she could.

Marcus swayed at the wave Julie sent out. “Wow,” Marcus said, quickly moving closer to her. He put his hands around her waist and pulled her to him. “Tell me,” he said, his lips pressed against her neck.

Julie pushed back on him and she pulled the power back into her. “Stop it,” she ordered. Julie was able to escape his grasp.

“You were supposed to tell me to do something,” Marcus said, still trying to recover.

“Why would I do that? I don't like this,” she said.

“It could come in handy one day and get you out of trouble. I'll show you,” Marcus said, once he had regained control.

“I'd rather not know,” Julie said as she felt Marcus focusing on her again. The feeling was more intense this time. “Marcus... stop,” she said, but her actions betrayed her. This time, she moved quickly to Marcus. She slid her arms around his neck. Marcus' smile sent jolts through her. When their lips met, her whole body felt like it was vibrating. “Feel how good it is?” Marcus asked as his lips traveled down her neck.

“Yes,” she breathed as all self control left her.

“Go lock the door,” Marcus whispered in her ear. Marcus watched as she did as she was told. “Come back to me,” he ordered. She ran into his arms, almost knocking him over. “See, this is what you can do,” he said as he kissed her passionately. He began to pull back the source as he deepened the kiss.

Julie felt her self control returning and began to struggle in Marcus' arms. He released her; his lesson was over. She launched herself far from him. “That... that was uncalled for!” Julie shouted.

“Maybe, but it was a hell of a lot of fun.” Marcus laughed.

Julie was angry at him. “I will never use that! You are taking away someone's power to choose. That's not right,” she said.

“In some situations, you may need to distract someone. It is useful,” Marcus countered.

Julie sat on the sofa with her arms folded. “I have other things I need to know about,” she grumbled.

“Fine,” Marcus huffed and sat down next to her. “What... Who...” Julie tried to formulate the question she wanted to ask. “What did you mean by 'human parts'?” she finally asked.

“That's really an Uncle Gregg question,” Marcus said.

Julie turned to face him. “Please, Marcus. I need to know. Can't you please tell me something?” she pleaded.

“I'm not good at explaining things,” Marcus said.

“Can't you just tell me... are we human?” Julie asked.

“Partly,” Marcus answered. “We were born the same way humans are, but contain other... special things. We're more of a blend,” Marcus said.

“Blend?” she asked.

“Enough on that, Julie. This is all stuff your father and Uncle Gregg should have told you,” he said, his frustration showing.

“Wait. You said we were born the way humans are. So, that means I have a mother. Why can't I remember her?” she asked.

“Because she died when you were born. All the birth mothers die,” Marcus said.

“Why?” Julie asked quietly.

“I don't know. They just do. Something gets released during the birth and they die,” he said.

“That's... horrible!” Julie exclaimed.

Marcus was getting agitated. “Okay, that's all. Any other questions need to be asked of Uncle Gregg,” he said, standing up.

“Marcus, please. I know I'm being troublesome. You have no idea what it has been like for me growing up and not having anyone to talk to about anything,” Julie told.

“I'll give you Uncle Gregg's address and phone number. You can ask him yourself. He'll be surprised as hell to hear from you,” Marcus laughed. Julie decided to not push him any further. She did, however, have one more question that needed an answer.

“What about Austin?” she asked.