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  Straining, he tried in vain to hear some evidence of what was going on at the other side of the house. He could hear voices, most of them male, but the distinct words were lost to him. At one point, it sounded as if a voice was floating nearer to his position, but then he heard the woman's voice rise a little louder and the sound subsided again. More stressful minutes passed and he heard the sound of engines coming to life. The tension in his muscles ebbed as he realized no more sounds came from the front.

  The woman stepped into view, but maintained a distance of several feet from him. Cautious, this one, he thought.

  "My instinct has never failed me before, Nicholas. I am trusting it and you.” She took a deep breath. “I've sent the emergency crews away with a story, but I promise you that, with the slightest provocation, you will not get a second chance."

  He analyzed her stance. Both feet were shoulder width apart, her right leg, probably the dominant one, slightly behind the other. Her chin raised high, he recognized the boldness in her tone and look. Her body suggested that she did not trust him despite his words and she would flee as easily as she stood there.

  Careful not to startle her with any movement of his own, he spoke softly. “You will never have anything to fear from me."

  Still wary and unbelieving, she nodded and indicated the furniture leaning against the house.

  "You can get yourself comfortable on one of those for now. I'll see if I can find something inside to cover you up with.” Her hand pointed to the tall hedges surrounding the yard. “These do not keep nosy neighbors from seeing what is going on over here."

  While this bit of information may have been true, Nicholas felt it another method for her to warn him that she could summon help easily. He didn't bother to point out that no one had come to her aide when they were struggling on the ground only moments before. Instead, he said nothing and watched her walk away.

  He pulled one of the chairs to the shade of the house, sat in it and leaned forward, planting his face in his hands. Suddenly, he felt so weary. It was disturbing to be in this predicament of not knowing where he was, yet at the same time, recognizing that he should know where he was. While there were similarities to where he came from and this place, there were so many differences. This place had vehicles. So had his home. Only in this place, the vehicles were bright and shiny. The ones of his home were loud, rusty, patched together from pieces of older cars and no longer usable. This place had plants. In his home, the few plants he had ever known were grown in pots for the purpose of bringing forth rare fruits or vegetables. Here, the plants were plentiful. The hedges were just an example of this. True, the ground covering in this yard was mostly dirt, but he'd noticed that the other dwellings had lush, green grass.

  And Lisa. In his home, no one, man or woman, dared walk without a readily visible weapon. She had no weapons that he could see. She also trusted him to a degree. In his home, you did not trust anyone. Ever. The shift from man to Once-man was too rapid, too uncontrollable. The Once-men knew when change was coming, but the humans did not and so Once-men exploited the rapid change. You never knew if what you said to someone would be used against you once they had changed. Not everyone would change. It was unheard of that a Soldier would change. It was one reason for their charge. But everyone else? It was too difficult to try to predict.

  All of this was of little consequence. What mattered now was trying to determine how he had come to this place and why. By all rights, he should be dead. In his last battle, his body was ragged, with wounds both deep and superficial. None of that was evident now. He dragged the memory of being poisoned forth and pondered the possibility that the poison had done this. That made little sense, but what thus far had made sense?

  Inside the house, Anna's hands shook with a ferocity that she could not quell. Now that he wasn't chasing her, she had to admit that he was just a little less scary than he had been. Chewing on her lower lip, she thought about her choices and what option she should choose. Her brain encouraged her to get help now while her curiosity suggested she slow down just a little and give him a chance. His good looks were certainly helping curiosity win the argument.

  It was madness to take this man at his word, to turn away those who could have helped her and on top of that, invite him to make himself comfortable on her furniture! Well, she decided, even if I'm not going to be smart about this, I don't have to be stupid. Stifling a mad cackle, she walked through the house locking all exterior leading doors and windows. That accomplished, she felt moderately more at ease. While with the paramedics, she had taken the opportunity to retrieve her keys and cellular phone and she made certain both would remain on her body at all times while he was around.

  She walked into the bathroom again, turning on the faucet and finding a washcloth to run under the warm water. Wincing, she used it to dab at the abrasions running along her arms. She also noted the beginnings of a bruise on the hand he had grabbed when he had awoken. The area still throbbed. Her knees were also aching and, glancing down, she realized that there was a hole in one pant leg at the knee. Reluctantly she pulled the keys and phone out of her pocket and placed them on the counter, then removed the jeans. After running the cloth under the water again, she wiped at her knees, knowing with certainty that they would also be bruised by tomorrow. This was shaping out to be one hell of a day.

  Sighing, she found a comfortable pair of shorts and put those on, mindful to pick a pair that had pockets for the phone and keys. She grimaced when she pulled the cloth over her knees, but then released the breath she hadn't realized she was holding when she made it past that area and her knees were exposed to the air. In the closet Anna also found an old pair of sweatpants for him. She located a t-shirt she had been given at the last blood drive and figured the clothing would have to do. Shaking her head, Anna decided he was on his own for shoes. Dressing in women's clothing would have to be alright. Besides, it wouldn't disguise what was important. He wasn't hard on the eyes at all.

  Now where the hell had that come from?

  Methodically, she slowed her pace to think about that. Yes, he was good looking, mismatched eyes and all. He was damned good looking. And that body? Whew! Her cheeks started to burn and she commanded her racing pulse to slow down to a horse's gallop. She grinned to herself about the pleasurable thoughts of his naked body and caught a glimpse of herself in the kitchen window's reflection. The hair on the back of her neck rose when she turned to fully face the reflection. Unfortunately, standing right outside of the window, looking directly at her, was Nicholas.

  Failing miserably at her attempt to not appear startled, she stiffened her back and strode with purpose again to the outside. Careful of not stepping too close to him, she tossed the clothing onto the table that separated them.

  "These should fit you,” she commented, dismayed to feel the burning in her cheeks still there. “I didn't have any shoes that would fit."

  "Thank you,” he replied, reaching for the clothing. Without shame or pride, he donned them in front of her, all the while maintaining eye contact. The pants were too short and tight, but he didn't comment on it. When finished dressing, he gestured for her to sit in the opposite chair. After she sat down, he did the same. Nothing was said for a few minutes and Anna started to become uneasy with the silence. At last, she decided to speak first.

  "So,” she started. “Where do we go from here?"

  He gazed at her coolly, pondering the answer to the question. In truth, he didn't know. His first thoughts had been to figure out where he was and how he had gotten there. His second thoughts were a little more carnal.

  "I do not know,” he sighed. “Would you please explain to me where I am?"

  Anna spoke without hesitation. “You're in Jacksonville.” Noting his frown, she continued. “On the north side of the city."

  He said nothing, but the confusion was evident. For the first time, she noticed the sadness in his eyes.

  "Oh my God. You really don't know where you are, do you?"
r />   "No,” he admitted.

  "Are you from Florida at all? We get a lot of tourists, especially people who are familiar with boating. Maybe you fell off of a ship.” She stated the last sentence hopefully, but then immediately realized the improbability of it.

  "I am not familiar with Florida."

  "Well, we're close to the Georgia border. Perhaps you made your way here from there?"

  "I do not know Georgia, either,” he said.

  She watched him without saying anything more. This was insane to be sitting here trying to help an amnesiac remember which state he was from. They sat in silence for a while before the sound of his stomach broached the quiet air. She cursed her mother for forcing good manners on her and took a deep breath.

  "If you are hungry, I can get you something to eat from inside.” It was an effort, but she got the words out.

  "Thank you, but no. You have gone further than necessary already by not betraying me. I will not intrude upon you any further than I have."

  "Now that's just stupid,” she exploded. “What are you going to do for food? For money? I found you without a stitch of clothing. You don't even have any shoes, so where are you going to go? How are you going to take care of yourself?"

  He silently regarded her with his odd eyes.

  "For crying out loud. Just stay there,” she bristled. Standing, she turned and stomped back inside of the house. She came back a few minutes later with a hastily made ham and cheese sandwich, diet soda and an apple. She pushed the food towards him, still mindful about keeping the table between them. He grabbed the food and quickly ate without hesitation. She hid a pleased smile as he savored the apple in particular. The can of soda seemed an enigma, however, and he eyed it suspiciously.

  "You're kidding me, right?” She looked at him with her head cocked to the side. Grabbing the can, she opened it by the tab. She held it back out to him and then placed it on the table when he did not reach for it. He still ignored the can and leaned back against the chair, closing his eyes. Anna chose to follow his lead and leaned back against her chair, enjoying the morning.

  The sun had not risen to the full sky yet and, while muggy with humidity, it was still a pleasant time to be outside. In a few hours, even the bugs headed for shelter. Summer was only a few weeks away and with it came heat well into the ninety degree range. Every year, she had known herself to complain, Anna felt as if summer started earlier in the year. Once upon a time it didn't get hot until June settled in. Now, it seemed as if March began the beach season.

  Although the silence was beginning to irritate her, Anna remained quiet. Because his eyes were closed, she took the opportunity to look at him closer. A Greek nose was his most prominent and flawless feature. His lips, on the other hand, while otherwise unremarkable, had a small scar that crossed at the top left corner of his mouth. Her nurse's eyes followed the trail with curiosity. The fine scar continued onto his left cheek where it was hidden by deep etchings that bordered both sides of his mouth. She noted that the scar was probably a continuation of the one that started at his left ear. Whatever kind of life Nicholas led, it had to have been a tumultuous one. Still, the look suited him. She could not imagine him looking more genteel. There was something very bad boy and sultry about his face.

  He opened his eyes and she guiltily looked past his head, trying to disguise how she had been previously reviewing him.

  "If you are willing, I would like to offer my services in exchange for food and shelter,” he said.

  Anna almost choked on air.

  "What kind of services were you thinking of?” she managed to breathe out.

  "The outside of your home is unlike the others around it. I can help you grow grass like what the other domiciles have. And if it is privacy that you seek, I can build a fence. The hedges are not sufficient.” He raised an eyebrow as he spoke the last sentence, but that was the only indication of amusement.

  Anna considered what he said and waged an internal battle with herself. How had she gone from rescuer to victim to employer in a matter of an hour? They were sitting in her backyard like old friends and not long ago, she had feared for her life.

  "How can you go from not knowing where you are to looking for employment here? This makes no sense,” she replied.

  "I cannot change the circumstances. I can only make the best of them,” he said. “No matter what, I have to have a place to sleep. Food to eat. You have both here."

  "You're assuming that my boyfriend won't mind,” she offered. Her eyebrow rose on her face in a challenge. Then, something curious in his face shone through after she said this. Disappointment? No. That couldn't be it.

  "You are right. I did assume. Consult with him if you must."

  There was a slight pause. “I don't have one,” she waved at the air with a hand. “I just don't like that you made the assumption. And you know another thing? May I suggest the first thing you do is try to remember where you're from? I doubt it's here. You definitely don't speak like you're from around here at all."

  "Yes. I have noticed your particular accent,” he calmly replied. The emotion that flitted across his face before was gone now. Replaced with something that looked like relief.

  "My accent?” She was appalled. “Buddy, I don't have an accent. You have the accent. Listen to you. I mean, what's up with not using a contraction?” Of course, she admitted to herself, she did have a Southern accent, but in a city full of Southern accents, his lack of a drawl made him the oddity.

  "A contraction?"

  "Yes, a contraction. You know. Can't. Won't. Don't. Instead of cannot, will not and do not,” she explained. “I have not heard you use a contraction once."

  Nicholas mused over her criticism and nodded his head. “You are right. I do not use contractions.” He shrugged one shoulder to indicate how inconsequential this finding was.

  She grunted at him in frustration. “So, what? You're going to work for me and then what?"

  "Learn about where I am and how to get back home,” he calmly replied again.

  Anna wanted to scream. This was too surreal. How often did a handsome man wind up naked in a person's yard and then offer to do handyman work in exchange for food and board? Then again, she reasoned with herself, don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

  "I'll tell you what,” she said after more silence. “Let me think about it.” She sighed. “I guess you can wait here until I make up my mind."

  She stood and went back inside of the house, locking the back door behind her.

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  Chapter Four

  "So how crazy am I for even considering this?” she sighed for what seemed the tenth time this morning.

  There was silence on the other end of the phone. Anna had called her best friend Lucy for a sounding board about the situation with Nicholas. She and Lucy worked at the same hospital although no longer on the same unit. They had met while working on a medical/surgical unit. Anna had been a new nurse, the ink on her diploma still drying. Lucy had been her preceptor, a nurse not long out of school herself. They hit it off as friends immediately. Lucy had since gone the path of critical care nursing while Anna felt her calling with cardiology patients.

  "So, do you want to hear what you want to hear or do you want my honest opinion?"

  Anna went on her guard. This was Lucy's style. Known for the brutality of her honest opinion, she always gave an option out when her trademark bluntness was about to surface. Not everyone liked to hear what she had to say, yet they were drawn to her advice nonetheless. The irony was not lost on Lucy.

  "Go for it,” Anna offered.

  "When is it that you usually go wrong?"

  Anna frowned. “I'm not certain what you mean."

  "How about this? How often is your instinct wrong?"

  "Almost never."

  "Not almost never. Never.” Lucy took a deep breath. “It's what makes you a good nurse. You listen to what your inner voice says without thinking it through. But, there are tim
es when you go wrong. When is that?"

  Anna could see where she was heading with the question. “I usually go wrong when I think something through too much,” she admitted.

  "Bingo! You're thinking about this entirely too much. So what if it isn't conventional? Who says it has to be?” She went on without pause. “If your gut is telling you that you can trust this guy, then trust him."

  "So you gonna plan my funeral when it turns out to be the first time my instinct is wrong?” Anna chuckled.

  Lucy chuckled with her. “True. There's always a first time. But I don't think so. And girlfriend,” she lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, “if he's a gorgeous as you say he is, jump his bones."

  Anna shrieked with laughter. This was the advice she was really after. Trust Lucy to see through the pretense and get to the point. They continued to chat amicably for a few minutes more before Lucy begged off to run some errands. They promised to get together soon and mutually hung up.

  She walked out of the bedroom and into the living room, flopping onto the faded green couch. She really wanted to ponder the wisdom in this decision, but conceded that Lucy was right. If she thought about it too long, she would overanalyze the possibilities. Instead she thought about what tasks could be done by Nicholas. He had offered to start some of the landscaping and build a fence. The latter idea intrigued her. She hadn't considered having one before now, but the idea was appealing. She had been saving for a long time to afford the upgrades she had been planning and the fence wouldn't pose too much of a threat to her bank account. She also had the next five days off from work before she had to return for another shift, assuming they did not call her in before then. So, it seemed she had decided. Anna rubbed her eyes and stiffly rose from the couch to let him know the news.