Posted by Sebrina Rose on November 28, 2002 at 10:47:44:
Happy Thanksgiving!!! *smiles* HUGGGGSSS
Sebrina Rose
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“It’s all g…g…gone…” She murmured.
“You can buy new equipment… I’ll even lend you some of mine, temporarily. There’s a fully functional laboratory right here in my basement, ya know. We’ll go on a tour of my research facilities a little later if you’d like, Angel.”
Her heart skipped a beat as she heard her nickname used once more -- but it was not enough joy to prevent a second tear from joining the first. Devlin wiped it away with his thumb. “Talk to me Angel… why the tears?”
“Gone… all of it…. ” Angie stopped and shook her head.
“What is gone, dear?”
Angie stared off… silent.
Devlin lifted Angie’s tear-streaked face until their eyes met. “Explain yourself right now, please… unless you’d prefer I spank it out of you, young lady? Tell me…what is gone?”
Angie gulped. Her stinging bottom confirmed he’d go through with his threat. She took a deep breath. “M…M… My dissertation research…” She whispered, growing pale and lowering her eyes. “Months worth of hard work… and every last bit of it is all gone. ”
***************************
Devlin was stunned. All of her research was gone? How was that possible? Angie sat silent and expressionless. Not sure how to respond exactly, Devlin decided to take a logical approach and ask her some important questions. Perhaps things were not as bad as she was making them out to be.
“You’re a graduate student in Marine Biology… correct?” He began.
Angie nodded… staring off. She felt completely numb inside and could barely think straight. The full weight of her situation was just starting to sink in.
“Am I to understand that you’ve been conducting your school research here at the beach… and recording your data in that green notebook?”
Angie continued to gaze off… and nodded again.
“So… you mean to tell me…. THAT green notebook is the ONLY copy of your dissertation data, young lady?”
Angie finally looked at Devlin… her eyes filled with tears. “Yes… it’s my ONLY copy… why do you think I’m so distressed?” She spat.
Devlin couldn’t believe what he was hearing. She must be mistaken. There had to be a back up copy of her data. There just had to be.
“But of course as a good researcher… you entered your data into a computer, or at the very least made a Xeroxed copy of your notebook.”
Angie looked down and managed a weak, “N…No,” as tears ran down her flushed cheeks.
“No computer back-up? Or… no Xerox copy? Which is it, Angel?” Devlin just knew she had to have one or the other.
Angie hesitated. “Ummmmm… neither, Doc.” She whispered.
“WHAT? You must be JOKING! You’ve not entered any data into a computer or made a single copy? Why is that, girl?” The volume of Devlin’s voice rose dramatically… he was absolutely appalled at her lack of professionalism and careless work ethic.
Angie shrugged. “I… I… dunno… just never got around to it, I guess. Figured I’d enter it into my computer when it was time to analyze the data in a few months. Until then I was just busy collecting. I didn’t think anything would happen…”
“Young lady, you didn’t think… period!”
Devlin noticed his Angel’s lip quivering. She looked him in the eye. “Don’t yell at me dammit… I feel bad enough without YOU making me feel worse by lecturing! Angie covered her face with her hands and started to cry in earnest.
“Without me making you feel worse? ME making you feel WORSE? Ohhhh count your blessing I’ve done nothing yet, my dear. I can surely come up with something to help you THINK in the future… give me but a moment.” Devlin responded, quickly rolling up the right sleeve of his black robe. He paused and thought better of upending her… since her soft sniffles turned into deep shaking sobs. His ‘lecture’ would be lost… it would have keep for another time.
“Whhyyyyyy?” She gasped. “ Why would someone t…t….t…..take my reeeeeeeesearch?” Angie’s body shuddered… and Devlin felt a stab of pain through his heart for the poor girl. “There was nothing valuable in that saddlebag… only myyyy stupid notebooooook!”
Devlin couldn’t get past the fact there was no back up copy of her data. Currently he had four back-up versions of his research. There was even a daily CD burned and sent to the hospital safe. He lowered her hands from her face and handed her a tissue.
“At least tell me you only just started collecting information… and we’re only talking about a small amount of ground to cover. I still find it so hard to believe you only kept one copy of vital dissertation data.”
Angie dried her eyes and blew her nose… “I started gathering that data at least six months ago. I’ve been on this goddamn beach every day for six frickin’ months! Water samples, weather conditions, … test tubes… microscope… slides! All turned to CRAP!”
“Didn’t we JUST have a discussion about your language, Angela Layne? Do we need another so soon?”
Angie shook her head and continued… keeping her mouth in check. “There’s been six months of burning sun, gusty wind and chilling rain. Six months of red tides, sea kelp and bioluminescence. Had it all -- from basic sea foam to raging storms but I’ve not missed a single blasted day!
Devlin nodded… impressed with her determination and drive in collecting her data.
“All of that valuable information was housed in my green notebook. That was the ONLY copy… and it’s gone. GONE!”
“Well… in six more months… you will have all of that information again.” Devlin tried to be reassuring… knowing how tedious a process data collection could be.
Darius stood by the edge of the sofa and whined. He rested his head on Angie’s lap… as if he could sense her pain and was trying to comfort her. She placed a hand on his head… thinking for a moment. Then looked up… with a panicked look across her face.
“Oh no! It’s been hard enough traveling here once a day on the bus! It took me forever to collect all of that data. I can’t start all over… I just can’t! I’ll NEVER graduate, now! Might as well just give up!
“Angel… stop that silly talk… that is quite enough of that negative thinking.”
“No… it’s not enouuuugh!” She wailed. “I’m as big a failure as my Aunt always says. I will never get my degree… why even try? I’m so stupid! Why did I chase after that annoying little dog in the first place? Why did I leave my stuff alone on the beach? Why did I stay put on your stupid couch? Why am I such an idiot?”
Her dramatic self-pity was most unbecoming and Devlin had enough. “The better question here, young lady, is why didn’t you just follow standard practice and wisely back-up your work?”
Devlin stood and paced watching his Angel quietly sob on the sofa. He was torn. She was suffering the logical consequences of her lackadaisical attitude… but it pained him that she was so distressed. As a fellow researcher he could empathize with her heartache. He’d been livid last night at his ruined experiment; he couldn’t imagine all of his data being stolen. The fact remained this girl deliberately ignored the basic rules of sensible data collection. A back-up copy was routine procedure.
Handing her the entire box of tissues Devlin sat arms folded in a chair directly across from the sofa.
“Dry your eyes, Angel… we need to talk.”
“Angie took deep gulping sobs… trying to pull herself together. Her head hurt… her research was gone… things just couldn’t get worse.
Devlin needed answers so he could figure this situation out in a calm, rational way. “You just told me that you’ve taken the bus here everyday for the last six months… yes?”
“Uh huh… everyday… to test the seawater.” Angie sniffled. Her eyes were heavy… and the headache was returning with a vengeance She suddenly felt tired and dizzy as her head pounded away. Devlin noticed as she tried to nonchalantly stifle a yawn.
“See, Angel… you have a very strong work ethic and will have your data amassed again in no time.”
“I…I…I can’t start all over! I can’t! I’m so sick of this… nothing ever goes right!” She rested her head on the side of the sofa.
“Listen to me, young lady… I’m very sorry you lost all of your dissertation research; I do know how that feels to some extent. There is a slight chance that someone may have found your saddlebag and will return it. In the meantime, however… you WILL start collecting your data again. I think you and I need to have a long discussion about proper research collection protocol first, however.”
Angie stared up at this commanding man… her bottom still stung from his earlier minor displeasure with her language… she did NOT want to see what a full discussion about haphazard data collection entailed. Her mind was overwhelmed. She couldn’t even respond… except with a tired yawn and a nod.
“You’re exhausted, Angel” Devlin said shaking his head. “Enough talk for now. I recommend getting some rest. You’re recovering from a significant head trauma. I need for you to close your eyes and sleep. Don’t be upset. You’re a smart girl… things will work out.” Devlin said, tenderly brushing her hair from her tear stained face.
Angie closed her eyes and muttered something about being stupid… as a fresh tear spilled down her cheek.
“Please don’t cry Angel… it will be okay.” Devlin coaxed… gently covering her with the blanket once again.
Angie sprang up in a panic. A startled Darius barked once and retreated to the kitchen. Devlin stared at his re-energized Angel.
“Nooooo… it won’t be okay! Nothing is okay! I’ve so much to do! Least I still may have my job… I’m going to need it to fund my dissertation fees… not mention buying new research equipment. “
“Angel?” Devlin tried to interject.
“No… don’t tell me to calm down… or to close my eyes. Can’t you see this is all a huge disaster? You want me to sleep, Doc? I can’t sleep now!”
“Angel… hold on a moment…”
“There is so much to be done… we have to call the police and tell them my data was stolen! Maybe they can send someone right over… this is very important!” Angie managed to work herself up to a fever pitch. She looked frantic.
“Angel!”
She kept right on rambling looking down at her attire…. “I can’t wear your pajama top all night… I need to change my clothes now and get to work! I was so close to moving out…so close to renting that apartment! I can’t afford to miss even one shift. Ohhhhh this is a huge mess!!” Angie flopped back onto the couch and covered her face with her hands.
Devlin’s heart sank… her JOB!
“Uhhhh Angel… I really hate to tell you this now…but there is something you need to know…about your job.”
Slowly, she lowered her hands and looked up, her eyes growing wide. “ No… NO! You didn’t! NOOOOOOOOO!”
“Now just wait a second…”
“You had me f… f… fired because of what happened with those medical supplies last night… didn’t you? DIDN’T YOU??!!”
“Oh Angel… if I only knew this morning what I know now…” Devlin sighed. “I never would have spoken to your supervisor. Your behavior last night was pretty atrocious… but…”
“You BASTARD!” Angie exclaimed, lunging at Devlin, palm open in a wild attempt to slap his face.
“Hold on there, little miss… we’ll have none of that!” He declared, catching her hand before it met its mark. He landed a sharp swat to her bottom and easily contained this furious hellcat in a tight embrace. As he drew her close, he could feel fer body wracked with sobs. She lowered her tense arms and clung to him… crying.
For the second time in the last several hours Devlin effortlessly scooped his distraught Angel into his arms.
“Where? What? …. Please… noooooo! Don’t spank me again…. noooooooo!” Angie struggled and thrashed… fearful she was about to suffer repercussions form her outburst.
“Hush, Angel…” Devlin whispered into her ear as he carried Angie into his bedroom and sat at the foot of the bed. He held her securely on his lap, cradling her in his arms. Stroking her hair as he rocked her gently he said, “Calm down my Angel… this has been a very stressful day for you. Don’t worry… everything’s going to be just fine, trust me.
Angie sobbed… her head pressed against his broad chest.
“Everything’s going to be alright. You’ll get another job… and you’ll finish your research… I know you will. Don’t worry now, Angel… please.”
Devlin continued reassuring her, until Angie’s sobs lessened to infrequent sniffles. She’d not spoken a word in over thirty minutes -- which greatly concerned Devlin. Since he met this sassy spitfire she’d done nothing but chatter away. Her silence made him uneasy.
“Feeling any better now?”
Angie nodded still snuggled safely in his arms. Her eyes closed and she sighed softly…feeling safe.
“Good… I am glad. Now, young lady… I know someone who really needs to get some rest… Doctors orders!” Devlin lifted her up and turned the bed down. Gently, he placed his sweet Angel under the covers and snugly tucked her into his giant bed.
Still slightly bewildered… Angie nodded and curled up under the comforter… resting her head on the satin pillow.
“Sleep now, Angel” Devlin gently ordered.
“Okay.” Angie muttered… staring off
“Right now, you hear me?”
“Uh huh.” Came her weak reply.
“You have to CLOSE your eyes to sleep, young lady…”
“But I’m not sleepy…not at all…” she protested as her eyelids slowly shut, betraying her very words.
Devlin chuckled…”I can see you are not the least bit tired, my sweet Angel… I can see that very well.” He whispered, turning out the light.
***********
Fortunately, the knock on the front door forty minutes later did not wake his sleeping Angel.
The knock rapidly turned into thunderous pounding. Devlin put down the journal article he was reading and synched his black silk robe tighter as he made his way to the door. Who would be calling so late on a Friday night? He certainly wasn’t expecting anyone.
Devlin opened the door… only to be forcibly shoved out of the way.
In a flash, Darius was at Devlin’s side, teeth exposed – furiously barking.
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