DR. WAKAI
Usagi arrived at the office check in window
promptly at 4:30. She put her backpack on a coat
hook on the wall, and took her guitar in with
her like a security blanket.
She was directed to a small room, instructed
to remove her clothes, and put a smock on so
that it opened in the front.
*Sigh*
Usagi perched on the edge of the paper-covered
vinyl examination table with stirrups, and swung
her feet. After she perused all the wall
materials a few times, she had memorized how to
do her breast examinations... maybe it would be
more fun with Rei.
She knew by heart what her baby would look
like and how much it would weigh during each
gestational week. She was suddenly glad Rei
wasn't there to see all of the pictures with
happy couples and their newborns, thank you
notes attached. Or see all the birth control
methods available. There wasn't anything there
to help couples who couldn't have children and
wanted them.
Usagi understood the government's position,
but she didn't have to like it.
There was a single sheet of paper which listed
adoption agencies. She saw the one Mamoru had
grown up in, and felt a pang of remorse. The
world seemed to be full of people who have been
dealt a crumby lot in life, and who now try to
make the best of things.
She looked at all the equipment. Fetal
monitors, an ultra-sound, pap smear torture
devices, blood pressure sleeves which dangled
from a wall, fingertip oxygen clips, electronic
thermometers, and stuff she couldn't put a name
to. She resisted the urge to break out the
guitar as she waited.
Eventually a redheaded technician breezed in,
weighed her, and took her vital signs. She spent
the most time with her stethoscope pressed to
Usagi's chest in various places. Deep breaths
made her cough.
The nurse made Usagi nervous.
At length, she cheerfully told Usagi that Dr.
Wakai would see her momentarily.
Usagi repeated to herself, 'don't be a cynic'
a few times.
Meanwhile, she should leave a urine sample in
the bathroom with her name on it, if she hadn't
already. Clearly, it was a stall tactic,
otherwise why wasn't it mentioned before she put
on this ridiculous 'gown'?
Usagi clutched the gown closed in the front
and slunk down the hallway, performed, and slunk
back to her room. She didn't ask why they wanted
the sample... she was afraid that they'd want
blood, too! The nurse did want blood, too.
*Sigh*
She didn't have too long to wait after that,
she only got half of the manufacturers memorized
on the equipment.
The doctor smiled at her as she entered the
small, cluttered room. She was middle-aged with
spectacles, she had dark short hair, and a
medium build. Professional. Dr. Wakai's voice
was pleasant.
"Miss Hino is waiting in the lobby for you. If
you would like for her to accompany you, it's
fine with me, Miss Tsukino."
"Yes, thank you. Please have her sent in,
before she starts to abuse your staff with her
impatience."
Dr. Wakai winked as she used the intercom to
call the front lobby.
Rei appeared a few moments later, and wore
what she had packed in her gym bag. She had on a
pair of faded jean shorts and a gray tank top,
on which she had Meredith Brook's 'Blurring the
Edges' album cover silk-screened to. The back
proclaimed 'I May Crack, but I'll Never Shatter'
penned by herself with fabric paint.
On her neck hung a gold necklace with a small
ornate gold cross on it. She wore small ruby
earrings. Strapped to her right wrist was her
senshi communicator, and a thin golden dragon
with a small ruby for an eye, curled around her
left wrist.
Her hair was immaculate, and her manicure was
of course, perfect. She wore open toed leather
sandals, which prominently displayed her
pedicure. All her nails were a bright hot red.
When Rei saw Usagi's eyes flick to her feet,
she stuck her tongue out at her.
Usagi suppressed a giggle... her bodyguard was
certainly multifaceted!
Rei slouched into a chair, and tried to look
nonchalant with her gorgeous long bare legs
slightly open, her bare muscular arms crossed
over her chest. Her eyes never strayed from the
doctor.
Dr. Wakai asked Usagi to lie down, proceeded
to look at her surface injuries, and documented
everything. Next, she was instructed to scoot
all the way to the end of the table and place
her heels in the stirrups. Dr. Wakai brought a
bright light over to enhance her view. The
doctor poked and prodded silently.
Rei watched as Usagi gripped the paper into
her fists and breathed more rapidly. Rei could
tell she tried hard not to cry out. Rei wanted
to fry something as a Pap smear test was done
and tears escaped her friend's eyes. Dr. Wakai
noticed Usagi's discomfort, too.
"I know it must hurt, sweetie. It helps to
relax. I'll be as gentle and quick as I can...
I am almost finished."
After the culture was taken, Usagi relaxed.
Dr. Wakai pulled her latex examining gloves
off after she cleaned Usagi up.
Rei saw blood and wanted Mamoru's on the tip
of her sword.
The doctor cleared her throat and began to
talk to Usagi.
"Miss Tsukino, you have some infections
internally, and also superficially. We'll know
more when the culture results come back.
Your temperature is elevated past the normal
low grade temperature we see for infections.
Your lungs don't sound clear. I suggest you go
see your pediatrician.
I will write out a prescription for some
antibiotics for your infections. You should
start to feel less run down within a few days.
If not, call me. You need to get plenty of
fluids and rest. I mean it.
When the infections clear up, I want to
re-examine you to determine the extent of your
injuries. You may put your clothes back on.
When you're done, I want to talk to you
privately.
Usagi gulped and nodded.
Dr. Wakai closed the door behind her as she
left.
Rei was on her feet instantly, and teleported
to Usagi's side.
"Are you alright?" she asked and handed Usagi
her clothes. She watched as the clothes were put
on mechanically in silence.
"I hurt." Usagi replied, shortly.
"I just want to go home. Will you help me get
home, please, Rei?"
Rei frowned.
"I'll get you home, if that's what you really
want. Do you want me to cancel our dinner date
tonight, too?" Rei asked uncertainly.
Usagi nodded soberly.
"I'm sorry, Rei, I'm just so tired... I don't
think I'd be very good company. I... I really
don't feel too well." Usagi finally admitted.
"Besides, it is already 5:30 and I'm still stuck
here."
Rei was a little disappointed but smiled. She
leaned forward and kissed Usagi's lips gently.
Her lips were a lot warmer now than they were
this morning. Rei felt her stomach flip in fear.
"Mmm, good point, I'd better call them. It's
ok, really, I think they'd rather have
cancellations then try to fit in reservations!
Don't worry, I completely understand your needs.
Do you remember the salad you made for lunch?"
Usagi nodded.
Rei grinned.
"Well, between all the heat and all the
action, I tossed it on Professor Ippongi's
sideline. He exiled me to the showers, and
voila, I'm here."
Usagi was concerned.
"Rei, you needed that food and you especially
needed those liquids."
Rei's finger touched under Usagi's chin.
"Usagi, I didn't toss it on purpose! I had the
ball, and suddenly needed to get rid of it, so I
could run off of the field.
Don't worry, Mako looked after me. After she
yelled at me for my stupidity, she bought me a
sports drink."
Rei stroked Usagi's cheek with a long finger.
"I think the Starlight Tower's other customers
would frown upon my tossing a salad, ne?"
Usagi gave the barest of smiles.
"I'd be happy to call your mom and have her
pick you up from here. I just need her cell
phone number.
We'll go out when we both can enjoy it." Rei
planted a warm wet kiss where Usagi's crescent
sigil would show on her forehead.
"I'll be in the lobby, 'K?" Rei said as Dr.
Wakai rapped on the door.
Usagi called out.
"Come in, I'm decent."
Rei opened the door to let the doctor in and
herself out.
Dr. Wakai thanked her politely and told her it
would not take long.
"Take your time. We have to wait for Usagi's
mom anyway." Rei returned just as politely, then
added, "besides, it might be fun to make an
adult wait on us, for a change!" Her mischievous
eyes glinted at the doctor.
Dr. Wakai looked at Usagi.
"She really is evil, isn't she?"
"Yup." Usagi agreed.
The doctor quirked a smile.
"How ever do you put up with her, you're so
sweet!"
Rei made gagging noises with her hands
clutching at her throat.
Usagi sighed loudly.
"Alas, I must confess... the girl amuses me."
Rei stuck her nose in the air and sniffed.
"Hmph, I think the air smells like hogwash in
here!"
Rei left to go find a phone to call Mrs.
Tsukino, and the restaurant.
Dr. Wakai and Usagi giggled like a pair of
schoolgirls with a secret.
* * *
When the door was shut once more, Dr. Wakai
turned towards Usagi and indicated for her to
sit in the chair Rei had vacated.
"Miss Tsukino, do you know the person who
molested, and raped you?"
Usagi looked down and cringed at the bluntness
of the terms.
"Hai," she whispered.
"How long has this gone on, and why didn't you
come to get help sooner, or call the authorities
so this won't be repeated?" Dr. Wakai asked.
Usagi calmed down before she answered quietly.
"It has gone on about a week, or two. It's my
fiancée whom I've let do this to me. Our
relationship has been full of love for years,
but he has changed recently.
I thought the abuse would stop when our lives
settled down. He insisted he still loved me, but
he grew rougher.
I didn't want to ruin his life and turn him
in. I still love him. But I can't continue in
the relationship the way it is. My intention is
to provide him with professional help."
Dr. Wakai was silent for a moment before she
responded in the same quiet tone.
"Usagi, if you insist on his protection, I
can't stop you. Your blood tests show you are
not pregnant, and you don't have any STDs,
luckily. If you truly wish him well, I suggest
you get him that help right away before those
situations change.
Do you have an agency in mind? If not... I
will provide you with one."
"Yes, I have someone in mind. It's not an
agency, but rather an eminently qualified
individual... Dr. Setsuna Meioh.
She is most known for her clothing designs, I
know, but besides graduating top of her class in
Theories of Elemental Science, she also majored
in Psychology. She has had extensive practice in
counseling. (For, like, millennia, hee-hee!)
She's also a personal friend of mine, and I
trust her implicitly."
Dr. Wakai was skeptical.
"All right, Miss Tsukino. I'm will trust your
judgment, but let me warn you, it won't be hard
to find out who you've been with. If you come
back to mine, or any other office in this
condition, I will have him prosecuted to the
fullest extent of the law. All these offices
share a database on abuse cases. Are we on the
same page, Miss Tsukino?"
"Hai, the message is loud and clear." Usagi
answered with trepidation and wondered if her
plan would work.
"Good, I expect you back here in one week,
that's next Monday Miss Tsukino, to see if any
permanent damage has been sustained.
Your boyfriend has exactly one week to enroll
himself into professional care. You may go now.
Please see my secretary to make your next
appointment. You may pick up your prescription
at the pharmacy next door... it's already been
called in."
Dr. Wakai smiled at her finally, and squeezed
her hand before she collected Usagi's folder.
"You're a courageous young lady, and a
survivor, just like your friend Rei. Only you
seem a little gentler, and more forgiving.
I always get the impression if she really
wanted to, she could reduce something to ashes
with her glare!"
Usagi tried to conceal her mirth with a hand
over her mouth, but a giggle came out. She had
no idea how right she was!!
With a hand on the doorknob, Dr. Wakai gave
Usagi a last look.
"You know, most people would be crushed under
the amount of pain you are in emotionally and
physically. Please take care of yourself from
now on. You are very special. I hope you feel
better soon."
Dr. Wakai left the door ajar and went to her
next patient.
Usagi's smile faded as the doctor left and
thought to her self... I'm not 'normal'. And I'm
not as brave as you think I am. I do feel
crushed.
Usagi went to the lobby with her guitar.
She paid the secretary and set up her next
appointment for the following Monday. When she
finished, she saw her mom and Rei as they sat
and chatted together animatedly.
Her mother certainly loved teenagers. It was a
most welcomed sight.
Ikuko stood gracefully at the appearance of
her daughter a curious expression on her face.
"Let's go, everyone! Rei, you're welcomed to
stay for dinner, if you want to."
Rei scratched her chin thoughtfully.
"Hmm, I have to choose between a good
home-cooked meal made by you, or leftovers
courtesy of Usagi?" She looked from one to the
other, and feigned indecision.
"Mom, isn't it my turn to cook?" Usagi asked,
and stuck her tongue out at Rei.
She retrieved her backpack from the hook she
had put it on.
"Mom, I have to pick up a prescription next
door, I'll be right back."
Ikuko stopped her with a hand to the forearm.
"No, you don't, Rei mentioned it, and I
already picked it up." Ikuko dangled a small
plastic bag in her face. And it's my turn to
cook! Get in the car, now, both of you!" Ikuko
ordered.
"Yes Ma'am!" Both girls said in unison, and
piled into the back seat of the white Accord on
the right side behind Ikuko.
Rei went first with Usagi's guitar, put her
own gym bag and backpack on the seat next to
her, and took the seat in the middle so Usagi
could sit next to the other door.
Usagi leaned forward and across Rei to plop
her backpack into the empty front passenger
seat.
Usagi felt completely drained as she sat down.
Her body ached, and she wanted desperately to
sleep. She laid her head on the window, but
discovered Rei's shoulder was far more
comfortable.
Usagi closed her eyes and was asleep
instantly.
Mrs. Tsukino looked in her rearview mirror.
She wondered why two usually argumentative noisy
teenagers were so quiet. What she saw was a pale
Usagi with bright pink spots on her cheeks, her
head cradled on Rei's neck.
Rei's arm was around Usagi's shoulder, her
features had softened to tenderly reflect a love
and concern Ikuko would have never imagined on
Rei's usually hard countenance.
Ikuko pondered the possible meanings in her
heart. Her daughter looked genuinely ill, and
Rei seemed inordinately worried and protective.
Ikuko began to worry that something awful had
happened. Was Usagi pregnant? She knew her
normally open daughter would talk to her in due
time, and was grateful they had such a good
relationship.
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