Chapter 31

 

Richard awoke the next morning he wondered where Shanna had gone then he heard voices.  Shanna was talking to James about something he couldn’t quite hear.

 

Shanna looked at Richard in a weird way.  Had she found out about Jed? He was confused.

 

Richard? Why did you kidnap that man? What were you trying to prove? Shanna asked.

 

Shanna it’s not how it seems really I just wanted to tell him to leave you alone.  He got up running his hand through his hair.

 

Is that all? James told me you knew him.

 

Pretty much.  In the army I had a rival named Jed he used to rough me up sometimes. It was childish horseplay but he really got to me. Anyways he’s here. He’s undercover trying to get the farmers major buyer.

 

Do you think we are in danger? She was worried for the safety of her family and the community.

 

I don’t see why. We haven’t stepped into their territory.  He wasn’t worried at all.

 

Well if you know him why did he do what he did? She asked him.

 

He said he had too and he didn’t know you where my wife. I am the one that led him here he heard my story from camp.  He wondered why he was always the one to cause catastrophe.

 

Do you trust him? Shanna asked.

 

Well yeah I mean even though he was a hard-core army drill sergeant yes I do trust him.  Richard looked at her wondering what she was getting at.

 

Well I guess that's it then. She looked back at her charts and went over her patients.

 

She noticed Etienne needed an evaluation. It had been too long since he had taken one since they had got there.  She went to go find him and left Richard alone.

 

When she found him he was talking to one of his friends.

 

Etienne? She called him.

 

Yeah. He turned around.

 

I need you.  Can you follow me? She told him looking at her chart.

 

Sure.  He followed her back to the med hut. Not knowing what quite was up.

 

So what can I do for you?  He asked.

 

I just need to do a follow up on your health is all.  She patted the table for him to sit there.

 

Oh that. Ok what do you want first?  He followed to where she wanted him and sat there.

 

Blood and Urine would be nice. She said.

 

Ok where's the cup? He asked.

 

Here. She wrote his name on it and he did it in front of her not minding it either.

 

She turned around and got some of the tubes to test it. She hadn't saw Etienne naked since the last time she was with him which had been over 17 years ago.  She felt flushed. Was she still in love with him or in lust?  She asked herself.

 

When he handed over the specimen she put it on the counter and took a needle for blood.

 

She pricked him and he flinched a little.

 

Ok now that that is done take off your shirt so I can hear your heart. She got her stessiscope.

 

He unbuttoned the shirt revealing the muscles he had got over the years.

 

She put her hand of his chest caressing the skin not intentionally of course. But she felt as if she had.

 

I'm sorry Etienne I didn't mean to harass you. She apologized.

 

You did nothing-wrong Shanna. Go on you can touch me. After all you are the doctor.  He didn’t mind that she had touched him the way she did.

 

I know Etienne it's the way I did it. She felt guilty.

 

He got up off the bench and look into her eyes.

 

Do you want me Shanna? He asked.

 

I can't answer that. Anyway, I am married why would I do such a thing. She asked him.

 

Were both married and it didn't seem to stop Françoise or Richard.  He told her.

 

I know and I am sorry about that Etienne really I am. As much as I would like to be in your arms for just one night I won't do it. I can't let James see me as a bad mother.  She looked at him.

 

You're not a bad mother. He said.

 

Yes I am. She said feeling ugly about herself.

 

No you're not in fact you are the best. He built up her confidence.

 

Why is that? She asked him.

 

Cause you took care of him and he seems like he is going to turn into a wonderful man.  He told her.

 

Thanks Etienne now let's get this over with.  She got herself back in check.

 

Sure. He got her hand and put it to his chest.

 

She got her stesescope and heard his heart everything seemed okay but when it was time to test his manhood she kinda hesitated. She had done it so many times with the others but this time it was different.

 

He took down his pants and waited for her, She didn't stare at him so he got her hand to touch him.  She looked into his eyes and kissed him. He took her lips wanting to savor the taste of the sweet scent she possessed. 

 

She pulled away feeling guilty and ran out.

 

He put back his clothes on but stood there with an erection.  In all, he was just hot for Shanna and there was nothing he could do about it.

 

Shanna cried in the woods how could she have taken advantage of a patient she had never done that before. She hated herself for it blaming it on her weakness.

 

Richard found her and wondered what had happened.

 

What's wrong Shanna? He wondered what was wrong.

 

I did something I shouldn't have done with a patient. She said crying.

 

What?  He asked unable to understand what she was saying.

 

I sexually harassed him.  She looked up at him.

 

You what? Richard was surprised at her.

 

I didn't mean to Richard. I really didn't, but all those times away. I never dreamt that they would still be there I mean I love you totally Richard, but why would I do something like that to Etienne?  She asked him.

 

You sexually harassed Etienne?  He was surprised at her.

 

Yes I kissed him. She told him.

 

Inside he was boiling with anger but he could see why she would have done it after all since they got there he had been with Françoise and Sal. So he didn't blame her.

 

Look its all right ok it was a moment of weakness.  Come on get up.  He took her hand.

 

She got up and looked into his eyes. She hugged him close and never let go.

 

He patted her back making all her fears fade away. He pulled back and starred at her.

 

Look I know you and Etienne have a history and I really don’t know how far it goes, but if you wanna be with him for just one night you have my permission no matter how much I love you I think I owe it to myself to do that for you.  He took her face into his face.

 

No I couldn’t possibly I mean you were the one I have been with since before James was born it would be like I was a cheating on myself.  She knew she would feel guilty if she even attempted it.

 

I understand, but understand this I have been with not one but two women since we came here.  I cheated on you and I feel guilty about that I really do but if you need to resolve your feelings than I understand.  He understood what she was going through.

 

Oh Rich I don’t deserve someone like you.  She hugged him.

 

Your wrong you deserve much more than me.  I was never a good husband to you.  He told her pulling away.

 

Yes you are you been there when I needed you the most.  She hugged him again.

 

Name one time. He asked.

 

That day in the field with Jed. She said.

 

Somehow I knew you were gonna say that. He sat down.

 

Well its true. Shanna said sitting next to him.

 

I know but I should have been there like when you had James. He felt guilty not being there that day.

 

Oh it’s ok really.  She said patting his leg.

 

No it’s not and I regret not being there. Did Etienne? Was he happy when you delivered?  He asked.

 

Yeah I think so he looked nervous though when he had to cut the cord. She remembered back.

 

Damn it to hell!  I should have been there. He was upset at himself.

 

Don’t be upset you can be there for the next one in about 7 months from now.  She said smiling.

 

You mean we did it?  He asked.

 

Yes I am sorry I haven’t told you I just wanted to be sure.   She noticed the light in his eyes.

 

No problem did you tell James?  He was excited more than she could ever realize.

 

Yeah I told him this morning he was ecstatic. Amanda and him have been like two peas in a pod and something is very fishy if you know what I mean.  She paced wondering what to do about them.

 

Yeah I know that girl is so desperate to leave this place I am sure when we leave that she will want to come and James loves her so I don’t see the harm in taking her away from here. He knew James loved her so much he wouldn’t leave without her.

 

I am sure Sal will have something to say when we leave.   Shanna was sure of it.

 

I am pretty sure she will too. Richard agreed.

 

Paradise was on the edge of becoming to an end.  Once the military got there they would all be out of luck. Richard knew that too.  But this time it really wasn’t his fault.  The map thing was last time though.

 

He knew that it had been a long time since these people had actually ever been to civilization maybe it was time for an end an end to Paradise for them all.