PRT 372- “Mercury’s Dilemma”

 

“Dr. Anderson, please report to the OR.” The nurse said over the intercom.

I went to answer the page. I was needed in surgery. The patient had been shot and had massive internal bleeding. The surgical team was having trouble removing the bullet because if it’s location. It was lodged to the side of his heart. One wrong move and it would puncture the outside wall of the left ventricle. It was a delicate procedure, but I’d done it before. I took the scalpel and carefully started to work. I was focused intently on the task at hand when the nurse came in.

“Dr. Anderson, you have a call on your personal line.” She said.

I knew what that meant. I had that ‘personal line’ (which was actually just a personal cell phone) so the team could reach me. The only time it rang was when there was an attack and the team needed me. But this man’s life was hanging by a thread and I needed to save him.

 

This wasn’t the first time I’d faced this dilemma and it was never fun, but it was part of my life.  My name is Dr. Amy Anderson, I’m one of the most sought after doctors in California for general care and surgical procedures. I had several specialties and I was among the best at all of them. I loved being a doctor and all the rewards that came with it…but I had another life that was equally rewarding. I’m also the Solider of Wisdom, Sailor Mercury.

 

It had happened before…an attack happened while I was with a patient. If it was a non-life threatening issue, like a consult, often I would make up an excuse to take off…but in cases like this, where the patient could die, I had to stay and hope the others could hold things down without me. It was always a hard decision but I felt I had become very good and striking the needed balance.

 

“Thank you nurse. I will get to it when I am finished here.” I said as I focused back on my work.

 

The surgery was a success, and evidently so was the battle because when I called Serena back she said it was taken care of.

 

“I’m sorry. I was in surgery.” I said.

“It’s ok. We handled it. It was just Rini and Harley again. We had to fight them…we were trying to capture them, but they escaped.” Serena explained.

“I’m sorry Serena. Maybe next time.”

“It’s ok Amy. We’ll get Rini back. I know it.”

“You’re right. Is there anything I can do?”

“No, thanks.”

“Ok, I’ll talk to you later.”

 

I arrived at my apartment after work and changed into some casual clothes. I was expecting company anytime now. I grabbed a blueberry yogurt from the refrigerator and then sat on the sofa and ate it while I waited. A few minutes later my doorbell rang. I went and answered it.

 

“Hey Adam, come on in.” I said as I moved aside so he could enter.

“Hi Amy. How’s it going?” he asked.

“It’s going. Have a seat, make yourself comfortable.”

“Thanks. Thanks for helping me even though….you know.”

“Hey, you’re not just Mina’s boyfriend to me…you’re my friend too. I’m happy to help you.” I said. He had come over because he was having some trouble in a medical class and I was tutoring him.

“Thank you Amy, really.”

“No problem. Where are we starting?” I asked.

“Well, I have these story problems. From the scenario and symptoms presented we have to come up with at least three differential diagnoses for each.”

“Alright, let’s get started…”

 

We worked for about 3 hours and managed to get three of his five problems done.

“Ok, I need a break.” Adam finally said closing his book.

I nodded, “Me too. You’re doing very well though.”

“Thanks. You wanna go get something to eat? Get out of here for a bit?”

“OK, sure.”

 

We went to a Chinese restaurant down the road and found a table.

“I will be so glad when I’m finished with classes.” Adam said as we ate egg rolls.

“Soon. And you’re doing really great. You’re going to make an amazing doctor.”

“I hope so.”

“So, if you don’t mind me asking, what is happening with you and Mina?”

“You know what’s happening. She made a deal with Nemesis.”

“Yeah, and that was a mistake on her part, but if you love her can’t you forgive her?”

“I don’t love the woman she’s become since this feud with Michelle started.”

“Michelle is partly to blame.”

“Oh, I know. Michelle shares half the blame…but I’m not engaged to Michelle. If I were Rocky I’d dump her, but we know that won’t happen. The point is, Mina isn’t the woman I loved anymore.”

“She’s lost so much. She’s lost her company, you, and now she’s powerless.”

“Powerless?”

I nodded, “Serena stripped her of her powers.”

“Oh god…do I even want to know why?”

“She was battling with Michelle again. Serena stripped Mina of her power and told Michelle if she didn’t watch it she’d take her on with the Crystal.”

Crystal vs Amethyst? That could be ugly.”

“I know.”

“Mina brought this on herself.”

“She loves you.”

“Until she stops acting so hateful and vengeful I can’t go back.”

I nodded, “I understand.”

“Let’s talk about something else. Have you heard about the new studies connecting high blood pressure and dementia?” Adam asked, changing the subject.

“I heard. It’s an interesting study but I’d like to see more on the research.”

“I’m not surprised. If you take care of yourself then it stands to reason you will remain healthy, mind and body, in later life.”

“Yes, but healthy people get sick all the time. It’s not always avoidable.”

“But sometimes it’s preventable.”

 

And Adam and I continued to talk for hours. Next thing we knew the restaurant was closing so we left. It was really nice to talk to a guy who understood me and wasn’t intimidated by my intellect.

 

We got back to my apartment and Adam walked me to the door.

“Thank you so much for helping me.” He said.

“I’m glad to do it. Thank you for getting me out of my apartment.” I replied.

“So, I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah, come by after work and I’ll help you finish up those problems.”

“OK.”

“OK.”

We stood there for awhile just staring at each other. Next thing I knew Adam leaned forward and brought his lips to mine, kissing me!

 

Instinctively I kissed him back but there was so much going through my mind. I wanted this and it felt so amazing, but he was still technically engaged to Mina, one of my oldest friends. But I liked Adam a lot and…it felt SO amazing.

 

The kiss finally broke and we looked at each other.

“I’m sorry.” He said.

“Don’t be…I mean…I liked it.” I said softly.

“I did too. I want more.”

I felt myself gasp, “We can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Mina.”

“I’m not with her.”

“You guys haven’t technically broken up…besides, she’s one of my best friends.”

“I know…I should go.”

I grabbed his hand, “Wait…don’t go.” I said before I knew what I was doing.

“You want me too don’t you?”

“More than I’ve ever wanted anyone…but it’s wrong.”

“Right now, I don’t really care.”

“Neither do I.” I said as I jumped into his arms. This was not like me at all. I was never impulsive this way. I couldn’t explain it but something about Adam…I needed him.

 

We went inside and made our way to the bedroom. He kissed me passionately as he slid his hands under my shirt and slid it over my head. My felt my breathing intensify and I couldn’t take it anymore. I started undress him. We fell back on the bed and the second I felt his body join with mine any guilt I felt was no longer a thought. I was so overwhelmed by the pleasure that nothing mattered but he and I.

 

When we finished I rested in his arms, my hands rested on his chest.

“That was great.” He finally said as he kissed my head.

“Yeah, it was.” I whispered.

“Are you ok?”

“I’m fine.”

“You feel guilty?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“You shouldn’t. I left her.”

“I know, but still. She’s my friend and she loves you.”

Shh, don’t think about her anymore tonight. We needed this and that’s all that matters.”

“You’re staying the night?”

“Do you want me too?”

“Yes.”

“Then I will.” He said as he pulled me tighter into his arms. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. I felt so comfortable with him, but at the same time I felt so guilty. I was in bed with Mina’s fiancé. No matter how you looked at it, this was wrong.

 

I didn’t sleep much that night, but it was nice to be with Adam. I kept rubbing my hand across his bare stomach all night. I loved the feeling of his skin. I didn’t know what I was going to do about this, but I knew that, for the moment, I wanted to enjoy it.

 

The next morning I felt Adam move. I looked up.

“Good morning.” He said.

“Morning.” I whispered.

“Last night was amazing.” He said as he kissed me.

“It was.” I agreed.

“You want to get some breakfast?” Adam asked as my cell rang.

“Um…hold that thought.” I answered the phone, “Hello?”

“Amy, hey, Mistress 9 is in town. She is trying to gather energy again.” Raye said.

“Ok, on my way.” I hung up. “Sorry, I have to go. Sailor duty calls.”

“I understand. Be careful.” He said, kissing me as I got up.

 

I grabbed my transformation bracelet.

“Mercury Spirit Power!”

 

I arrived at the battle, the rest of my team, plus Pluto, were already there.

“Shiny Aqua Illusion!” I called as I sent an attack at Mistress 9, that she blocked.

“Nice try Mercury, but I got this. Mars Celestial Fire Surround!” Mars called.

Mistress 9 rolled her eyes and fired off an attack at Mars and I that sent us flying.

“Oh…ouch. Are you ok Mercury?” Mars asked as we pulled ourselves up.

“I’m fine…but I think she means business.” I replied.

“She ain’t seen nothing yet. Sparkling Wide Pressure!” Jupiter cried.

“Pathetic.” Mistress 9 balked as she returned the attack.

“Ok, enough. Dead Scream.” Pluto said. This attack actually got Mistress 9.

“Now Sailor Moon!” Mars cried.

“Moon Spirit Scepter, Eradication!” Moon cried, but it was too late, she escaped.

“UGH! Not again!” Jupiter cried.

“It’s ok. We’ll get her next time.” I said.

“And where exactly were Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus?” Mars snapped.

“Neptune and Uranus aren’t answering the call and Saturn…still is having trouble finding privacy. Her transforming is very risky right now.” Pluto said.

“What do you mean Uranus and Neptune didn’t answer the call?”

“Just what I said. I wouldn’t worry about it. I know Uranus was at practice so she probably didn’t hear it and Neptune is probably off being an artist. You pretty much told them to stay out of the fight. Do you blame them?”

“No. I said they needed to stay away from Rini.” Moon said.

“The way your team as been treating ours you can’t entirely blame them for their reaction.”

“Fine, so we’re two teams. I guess that’s just the way it is.” Moon said.

“I guess so.” Pluto said as she took off.

“This is just great.”

“It’s ok Sailor Moon, it’ll work out.” I said.

“Thanks Mercury. You guys all did well. We’ll get Hotaru back…Rini and Harley too.”

“Absolutely, now I really need to get home and get ready for work. I’ll see you guys soon.” I said as I took off.

 

I got back to the apartment and Adam was in the living room studying.

“Everything ok?” he asked.

“Yeah, fine. We need to talk.” I said.

“About last night?”

“Yeah.”

“OK…”

“It was amazing and I love being with you…but it’s so wrong and I can’t do that to Mina, I just can’t. I’m sorry. I’ll still tutor you but we have to keep it at friends.”

Adam nodded, “OK, I understand. I’m not sure I like it, but I understand.”

“Thank you.”

“I should be getting to class. I’ll see you later.”

“OK, bye.”

 

After Adam was gone I went to take a shower. I stood still letting the hot water hit my skin and I cried and cried. I’d always been devoted to my work…so much so I never developed feelings for a man…until now…and I didn’t know what I was going to do.