Locker for my Rose of Versailles fan fictions

Atonement: Ch. 1 — Ice is Melting 17 July , 2008

Posted by Athos in Atonement, Rose of Versailles.
Tags: Rose of Versailles Fan Fiction
trackback

It had been pouring since early afternoon, just as the occupant of the apartment at the end of the hallway was busy typing reports of patients.  The sound of the raindrops hitting the window seemed to be in sync with the keystrokes.

Suddenly, lightning struck, and the whole apartment turned pitch dark.  The occupant immediately checked to make sure the UPS was working properly, and saved all the files before shutting down the computer.  Having sat for several hours on end, she rose, with difficulty, to stretch herself in front of the French window.  Lightning struck again, this time closer than the previous one, brightening up the apartment for a second.  Even under such eerie lighting, one would think there is a goddess with wavy hair standing aloof in front of the French window, awaiting her worshippers.  Contrary to this impression, she was simply sunken in deep thought, completely oblivious to the darkness that was surrounding her. 

Suddenly, a hint of light appeared beyond the bank of cypress trees that surrounded the building complex.  Soon the light revealed itself to be none other than that of an SUV.  It was meandering along the curves of the road as if it was being chased. Then it disappeared right into the building’s underground garage. 

She immediately took out the small pistol hidden under her jacket and hobbled towards the main entrance.  10 minutes later, someone came to open the door with the key……

“To where does the sun shine?” asked the woman, who was holding up the pistol behind the door.

“Wherever the flag of white, blue and red stripes is flying.” replied the man who opened the door.

“Andre!” Relieved, she tucked her pistol back into the holster under her jacket.

“Oscar…let me help you to your chair!” but he immediately felt a pair of lithe arms hugging him on his shoulders. 

Andre took out his keychain, and turned on the attached flashlight to shine on himself.

“Here comes your idol Andre Grandier!  Miss, you have to line up to wait your turn for my autograph!  No queue jumping!” He chuckled, in order to hide his nervousness.  All because of a promise he made to Oscar a few years ago.

Embarassed, Oscar let go of him.  Then she bent down slightly to try to pick up the bags.

Hearing the ruffles of the grocery bags, Andre rushed to stop Oscar from bending down.

“Are you crazy?  Your wound will reopen if you exert any force!  We guys have placed bets to see when you will appear in shorts for the hospital’s annual summer picnic, instead of the cargo pants you always wore.” 

Annoyed, Oscar made no reply.

“Sorry Oscar, I’m just want to make sure your wound heals properly.  How long has the building been without electricity?” 

“30 minutes ago.  Where’s your car?  I thought it was some stranger approaching.”

“I couldn’t start my car.  Fersen lent me his new toy, for he knows your fridge is empty!”  Andre laughed.

Oscar elbowed Andre lightly to show her displease. 

“Okay okay, I am just trying to cheer you up!  You’ve been so tense since the shooting.  It’s not going to help your recovery.” said Andre gently.

“Andre, it was no accident.” Oscar responded calmly.

“Why do you think so?” Andre was perplexed.

“Well, father called me this morning, and told me something that had happened at home in the past week or so.”  With Andre’s help, Oscar sat down at the dinning table.

“So you think the shooting and those events are related?” Andre was busy unpacking the groceries.

“Well, it’s just my suspicion.  Aren’t you worried at all? You were the target.”

“I am still in the dark about this.  The woman pretended to be the wife of a patient who died of post-surgical complications.  She even came with some documents which bore detailed information of the diseased patient.  Which probably means she had an accomplice.”

“Or accomplices, if my guessing was correct.”

“You want to proof your theory, Ms. Sherlock Holmes?” said Andre teasingly.

“Sherlock Holmes can stay functional with an ounce of tobacco, while I can’t.  Have you bought any apples and cereal?  I am starving.” Oscar laughed, in order to hide her embarassment. 

Even though they could barely see each other, Andre could imagine how beautiful Oscar looked when she was laughing.  How often did she laugh so heartily?  She had been coined the Ice Queen by the male students since medical school.   Always keeping her deepest thoughts to herself, she was close to just a few friends only.  3 months after the “incident” a few years ago, she secured a position to further her medical training in another country, at her father’s dismay. 

After lighting the candles with his lighter, Andre started washing some Empire apples, which was her favourite variety.

“Oscar, do you know how sweet your voice is?” thought Andre, when he recalled the way Oscar called him when he entered the apartment.

“Did you say something just now?” Oscar looked at Andre’s back.

“Huh?  Don’t tell me you have problems with your hearing too!  Should I call Bernard to come and check your hearing tomorrow?”

“I thought you said I am a fool.” Oscar seemed upset.

Andre turned off the tap and dried the apples in silence. 

An image flashed through his mind… 

“You fool!  Why did you do that?” he yelled at Oscar, after he turned around to discover his best friend since childhood was shot in her leg. 

At that moment, he felt his heart was split into halves as he saw her face white as a sheet, lying on the floor bleeding.  He held Oscar tightly while a nurse came to help slow the bleeding by tying a thick rubber band tightly around Oscar’s thigh above the wound.

After a minute’s silence, Oscar continued, “Remember we vowed to protect each other years ago under maple tree in the garden?”

“Oscar, we were merely 8 or 9 back then…I thought you’ve completely forgotten about it.”

Andre eyes were welling up.  How could he?  She was the most precious person to him ever since he arrived at the Jarjeyes household after his mother passed away.  It was Oscar who would stood up for him whenever he was teased at school by other kids who thought his father was a coward and disappeared from the battlefield.

Andre was extremely nervous…and happy… at the same time. What did Oscar mean?  Could it mean Oscar had completely forgiven him?  Or…..he dared not harbour any high hopes yet. 

Afterall, Oscar had been treating him the same way she did in the old days ever since her return, to his great relief.  Knowing Oscar as he did, he had been tiptoing to maintain this delicate equilibrium ever since. 

He finally realized Oscar was hurt more by his words than the bullet that cut her thigh.

“I’m sorry Oscar…” Andre sat down opposite to her.

“It’s okay, I am not angry at all.  I was just surprised that you’re still…”

“Eh?”  Andre sensed her hesitation.

“So concerned about me.  Even after that incident.  I turned you down when you professed your love to me.”

“How can you say that?  I almost did something unconscionable to you.  I will never forgive myself  for that.  That’s why I was so mad when you risked your own life to save me.  I’m not worth it.”  Andre’s eyes were welling up.

“Don’t ever say that again Andre!”  Oscar took Andre’s hand in hers.  Tears started to well up in her eyes.  Andre felt a drop of water fell on the back of his hand.

“I was the one who was blind.  Since we grew up together, I’ve always thought that you simply want to finish your education as soon as possible to become financially independent, so you turned down all the pretty girls that showed interests in you and concentrated on your studies.  I never realize you have been suffering because of my ignorance.  I have always thought we’re best friends, and thought you saw me the same way as I did.  How did you endure seeing me with Hans all those times?” 

Almost 4 years after that incident, they were finally able to talk about it without a sense of despair.