Ring!! *She popped her cell phone out of her pocket as she left the hospital. One 12-hour shift in the ER, and she was more than ready for a nice warm bath and some sleep* Hello? ~Li-Li, we must talk.~ *Dad was the only one who ever called her that, but why would he be calling now. It was late, and he should be asleep.* What's wrong, Dad? ~Nothing is wrong. Nothing will be wrong. There are things we must -discuss-.~ Ok, Dad. Where do you want to meet? ~Pick me up at home, and we'll go for a drive.~ Ok, I'll be there in five minutes. *Her voice sounded calm, but her mind was awhirl. Her dad was lying to her, she could tell. He never was a good liar. The urgency in his voice had been unmistakable. Whatever they needed to discuss was -very- important, and very serious. Driving out of the hospital parking lot, Dr. Brennan had no idea how dramatically her life was about to change...*

*Her father was waiting for her as she drove up to the typical suburban house her parents lived in. Her dad was normally a jovial man, always ready with a wink and a joke or two, but not now. He stood, hands clenching and unclenching at his sides, and Lisa thought she saw the remnants of tears against his cheeks as he climbed into the car and embraced her, fiercely.* Dad? What's wrong? *He did not respond, but merely squeezed tighter. They sat in awkward silence for nearly a minute before he released her and drew a ragged breath.* ~Drive, Li-Li. We will talk soon.~ *An unanswered question caught in her throat as she started the car and drove away. Out of habit, she had left the radio on, and neither moved to silence it.

Someday, somehow

I'm gonna make it all right,

but not right now...

*Click. The car stopped in a parking lot at the corner of the park, and Lisa turned to face her dad. He seemed unable to look at her, instead studying his fingers as though they would tell him what to say.* ~Li-Li, I need your help.~

Of course, Dad, with what?

~I am ashamed to tell you this, but the least I can do is speak quickly so you are not held in suspense.~ *Already, Lisa could feel a cold lump in the pit of her stomach and a chill run up her spine.* ~When the restaurant was not doing well, I got a loan.~

Right, Dad. You went to the bank. *That's what they'd always told her.* ~No, Li-Li. I went to the Vincettis. They gave me money. When the time came, I could not pay. They could have burned down the restaurant..broken my legs, killed us, but they did not.~ *A solitary tear rolled down his face, splashing in his lap. Lisa wanted to hug her father, he looked so forlorn.* But Dad, that's good...you paid them back, and all's well, right, right? *The last word was spoken in a child's wheedling tone, as she tried to will her own words to be true.* ~No, Li-Li, it is not well.~

*Now she was confused.* Do you need money, Dad? I have some, not much, but I will give you whatever I have. I want to help. *With great effort, her father raised his eyes to meet hers, and she could see just how helpless he was in light of what had happened.* ~They don't want money, Li-Li. They. want. you.~ Me?? I can't kill people...I just save lives.

*He nodded* ~That is what they want. They want -you- to~ *He hung his head again in shame for his need to be protected by his daughter when it is he who should be protecting her. He has failed his family, and the shame will haunt him until he dies.* ~save them when they are hurt. They will provide what you need, but you -must- come when they call you, or...~ *His voice trailed off. It would be fair and right for him to die, and if they had not threatened his wife, he would have been more than happy to let them kill him. Li-Li would have cared for her mother. Lisa's eyes brimmed with tears, hands clutching the steering wheel until the knuckles turned white. They sat there in silence as tears streamed down her cheeks for what seemed like an eternity before her head dropped to her chest.* I will, Dad. *The possibility of refusal had never honestly entered her mind. She loved her family dearly, and if this is what it took to keep them together, then she would do it.*

*Her father said nothing, merely nodded. A lump in his throat formed that was too large to get words around. He had never been more proud of his daughter than he was at that moment, or more ashamed of himself.* ~Your mother does not know, and we must not tell her.~ *Lisa nodded. Her mother worried excessively about the simplest things, this would probably kill her.* What do I do, Dad? *Inwardly, she was amazed at how little time it took to change someone's life forever. She witnessed it every day in the emergency room as seemingly healthy people wilted and died like forgotten flowers in spite of the best care that medicine could provide.* ~They will contact you, Li-Li, when your services are needed. Aside from that, just act normally.~

Things will never be normal again, Dad...never. *With the finality of her statement hanging in the air like a lead weight, she started the car. The two rode in silence back to her parents' house with the radio humming in the background. *

~Never compromise what's right
and uphold your family name
You've got to stand for something,
or you'll fall for anything.......
You've got to stand for something,
or you'll fall for anything......


*In a daze, she dropped her father off, and drove home. As she crossed the threshhold, she dumped her keys, her purse, and headed straight to the bedroom. Robotically, she changed into her nightgown, and climbed into bed. It was only then that she began to sob, deep wracking sobs that shook her frame and soaked hr pillow with her tears. How was she going to do this? Undoubtedly the Vincettis would want her to be -perfect-. If she wasn't....She couldn't bear to think of what they might do to her father, her mother, and her. Her torment was just beginning, and sleep would not come easily tonight, or for a long, long time.*

~*~Back~*~