Chapter 6

   I’m not sure how long we take to please each other, but we lay exhausted on the floor, Derek held me in his arms. I’m sort of embarrassed by my behavior. I have no idea why I did that. Derek doesn’t seem to mind, or notice my embarrassment, as he talks about what we are going to do next.

When he finishes talking, he stands up to get dressed. I sigh when the warmth leaves me, and he covers all his sexy parts. What is wrong with me? Shaking my head, I reluctantly get up because it’s time to move on.

As I put my final shoe on, I’m struck with another vision. I believe that I managed to call for Derek just as I’m pulled under. This time the room that I find myself in looks different. It’s darker and I’m lying on something flat with sheets wrapped around me. My arms feel weighted but I can’t tell what’s causing it.

"She still isn't responding." I hear Sheila say, sounding worried.

"She should be sleeping. We just gave her a blood transfusion and she has lots of injuries that need to be healed." Charlie answered back.

"Where is Meril? He should be here already. He isn't working on that thing again is he?"

"Yes, he is. He said that something snapped off when he brought her back from the 1400's."

"How did he get her to begin with? Has he told you anything?"

"He won't say. But his tone, when asked, implies that it wasn't easy." Charlie answered softly.

"I can't even get him to look at me anymore. He won't talk to me and I just don't know what to do." Sheila was crying and I hear Charlie walk over to her.

After a few moments, Charlie goes back to working. I hear the door shut softly. Charlie hums to himself while checking the IV's that are weighing my arms down. Footsteps running down the hall captures my attention as Sheila busts through the door.

"You have to move her! Someone is coming. There is no way that we can hide her in here. Quick! Let's move her to Meril's room."

"Grab that end while I unplug all of these wires. It's a good thing that we fixed that lock in that room. And it’s a good thing that there are no windows." Charlie was saying.

“Yeah! Let's go!"

Then I feel like I’m flying and I can hear their running feet. We come into a room that was even darker. All I can see is a lantern up against a corner. Charlie wastes no time plugging me in while a startled Meril walks up to him.

"What do you think you're doing? She can't be in here."

"We had to come here. Someone was coming. I'm not supposed to be here, Meril. They know that I stole all this. They're probably searching for me and this is the only place they won't be able to find us." Charlie explained.

"Fine! Just don't get in my way. We need to send her back to her time, just before her dad left. These were his wishes, remember. We wouldn't even have half the stuff that we have today if it wasn't for him."

"No problem. She should be resting. Sheila, why don't you come talk to her for a few minutes while I put her back to sleep."

"Don't forget to grab a blanket for her. She's shivering."

Then she turns to me." Hello, Dear! I know you don't know me, but we are trying to help you. When you recover, maybe, you can tell us what happened.” She pauses, looking sad. “We don't know where your father is. He went after you and never came back. He took something with him to make sure that the two of you could come back. When that didn't happen, we were supposed to locate you and bring you back. Do you know what I am talking about?"

I don’t move because I can’t. This is just a memory, and I’m not in control, but I try. While I’m trying, I’m brought back to the present. Derek is holding me and brushing my hair gently. I feel tears hit my face and notice that I’m crying too. I slowly sit up to look at him. He’s such a gentle man. It breaks my heart to see him crying over me. I gently brush away a tear.

"I'm sorry! When you said my name, I couldn't get back in time. You fell and hit your head on the desk. Your head was bleeding but I managed to stop it. I tried to wake you, but it wasn't working.”

He paused for a few minutes. “You have been out for twenty minutes and I was about to take you to the emergency room. You were breathing shallowly and crying. I thought that I was losing you."

It was only then that I notice that we are not in the same place. We are sitting by the outside doors. I slowly reach up to feel the sensitive spot on my head and wince. It’s still sore but not bleeding. I look towards the door and notice that it’s dark outside. I feel my stomach rumbling and get up to leave.

I try to stand up but fall right back down. Derek stands up and helps me to my feet, but before I can take a step, he scoops me up into his arms. For a moment, I’m irritated with his action. His look of determination, however, only serves to pull my heartstrings tighter.

"What do you say that we go back to my house for the night? I'm hungry and you need to rest. We can do this again tomorrow if you feel up to it?"

I nod in agreement and he takes off towards his truck.

"You know, I have never met a girl that can make my heart accelerate the way you do. I felt completely helpless in there. I don't want to let you go.”

He pauses to look at me. “Am I moving too fast for you, with this relationship thing? I don't even know your name but I feel like I have known you forever.” He blushes slightly, sighing.“I feel like never leaving your side." He states, looking at my face to gauge my reaction.

I shake my head, no, as he sets me into the truck. He gives me a gentle smile before heading to the driver side of the vehicle. While he starts up the ignition I take the notebook, and his pen, and write one sentence:

"I feel the same way, too."

He smiles a brilliant smile, a million watts that could blow up the world, and says, "That's good to hear!"