Chapter 14: Let's take it from the top.

The dinner was quite enjoyable. Mr. and Mrs. Fenwick were very cordial, though they were clearly assessing this young man whom their daughter was apparently taken with. I fielded the usual questions about my family and future plans, and inquired in return about their work. It turns out that they were both naval officers. Mrs. (or rather, Commander) Fenwick was the XO of a commodore at Norfolk, while Mr. (or Captain) Fenwick headed a liaison group between the Navy and the NSA.

"You're not part of Naval Intelligence, then?" I asked. The question seemed to take him by surprise, but he collected himself before answering. "Actually, yes. We try to make sure we're not working at cross purposes." He then proceeded to shift the conversation to something more innocuous. All in all, things went well, I thought.

On the way back (Morgan and I came separately from her parents), Morgan said, "I've finally convinced my parents to settle on a place for me."

"Where?"

"Hopkins House."

"Oooh, lap of luxury and a short commute. Plus, you're just next door. Just be sure to keep your balcony doors locked."

"I know; we heard about the burglaries too. My mom wasn't crazy about it, but my dad said that it was better than Charles Village."

"So when do you move in?"

"In three weeks. I have to go back home for two weeks to wrap up a few things. I leave a week from tomorrow." She smiled crookedly, then continued, "You'll have to do without me for a few days."

"I think I'll survive. My experiments might not, though."

"You know you're weird, right?"

"I aim to--oh my God." My face turned pale.

"What?" She turned to look, saw my expression, and pulled over to the side of the road. "Are you alright?" she asked anxiously.

After taking a few deep breaths, I felt steady enough to talk. "Just a bad flashback. I'll be fine. Really."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. It was just disconcerting, that's all. No biggie."

It took a few minutes of my continued reassurances to convince Morgan that I was fine, and we went on our merry way. By the time she dropped me off, I was back to normal. "See you Tuesday," she said as she drove away. I waved goodbye, and headed up to my place.

Those of you in the dark about what just happened, I'll give you a hint. I said that I'd do my best to make what I have with Morgan work; I never said anything about being over Maddie. Check my previous narrative if you're still clueless.

When I came in on Monday, there was an envelope on my desk. My name was written on it in Lissie's rather distinctive handwriting. I debated briefly whether to toss it into the garbage unread, but eventually unsealed it and read the enclosed letter. It ran as follows:

'If you're reading this, you must not hate me completely for putting your life through the wringer. Thank you for believing that I didn't throw away what we had between us on a whim.

I've spent a great deal of time since the accident with Nicki. You're probably not surprised that we turned to each other for comfort. We both loved Olivia--and you. I never had to choose between you two, but she did.

Olivia dazzled her, pure and simple. You were passionate, yet still kind and understanding. However, you know how Olivia can be when she sets out to win someone's heart. After all, we've both experienced it. She becomes a force so elemental that few people can deny it. She seduced Nicki away from you because she was jealous of what you two shared.

I've come to care deeply for Nicki. More deeply than I'd ever expected. She's come to love me as well--but she's still carrying a torch for you. She still whispers your name sometimes when we're together. I'd be lying if I said it didn't cut me to the bone, but I love her too much to want her not to be happy.

If I thought for even an instant that you would willingly see or even talk to her, I would have never tried to poison Madeleine and Morgan's minds against you. Nicki needs to resolve her feelings for you if she is ever to be happy again. Even if it means the two of you getting back together. I'm sorry for resorting to the basest of threats, but I was trained by the best. I may hate myself for it, but I have no compunction against doing anything I have to in order to resolve the tangled mess between you and Nicki.

Sweet water and light laughter.

Lissie.'

She left a number on the bottom. Ignoring it, I left the lab, went down the stairs, and headed out of the building. Callista was sitting on a bench outside Mudd Hall. She turned around to face me as I approached.

"Hello, Jordan."

"You've lost your touch, Lissie. What happened to finesse over brute force? Threats stiffen resolves, while guilt-trips weaken them. And you said you were trained by the best. Bah! You let your concern for Anya push you into a rash course of action when a slower one had a better chance of success."