Disclaimer:  None of the characters of Relic Hunter are mine, usual blah blah blah. The plot and concept of the story is mine, so please do not reproduce without my permission. Rated PG-13 for some language and mature content. Sequel to Something Lost…because I STILL can’t stop writing the darn thing…. Make Sure you read ALL of Something Lost before continuing here.

 

AND THE BLIND SHALL SEE

  

By : Aryea

 

CHAPTER ONE

 

Nigel was trying not to fidget as the doctor began to pull the bandages away from his eyes. He’d told Sydney he was having it done today, but avoided confirming the time as he knew that she would want to be there with him. He wanted to do this alone. If he couldn’t see…well he wasn’t sure what his reaction would be, but he didn’t want to her to see it. He’d waited until Sydney left for work, assuring her that he was just going to sleep and he’d call her when he woke up, and then he asked his neighbor to take him to the clinic and drop him at the office.

            “How are we doing, Nigel?” the doctor asked kindly.

            “Fine.” Nigel wished he’d hurry up, how long was this damn thing? Finally, he felt the pressure ease as it was pulled away from his face.

            “Now, I’m going to remove the pads over your eyes, Nigel. I want you to shield your eyes; they’ll be sensitive to even the small lamp I have on.”

            Nigel brought his hand up and cupped it over his eyes, his right knee bouncing nervously.

            “Don’t open them until I say, Okay?”

             “O…okay.” Nigel felt the ease of pressure as the pads were removed from his eyelids, and then the delicate probing of the doctor’s fingers.

            “Does that hurt?”

            “No.”

            “Good! Okay, Nigel. Outwardly the lids look like they have healed very well, so let’s slowly open your eyes.”

            Nigel hesitated, so frightened that he wouldn’t be able to see that he couldn’t force his eyelids to move. Finally, he opened his eyes, immediately squinting against the dim light.

            “Can you see anything?”

            “A glow…a soft glow…shadows.”

            “That’s good. Close them again.”

            Was that it? Would that be all he was to see? His eyes felt so stiff.

            “Now, Nigel, I’m going to put some drops in your eyes, it will probably sting a little, but keep your eyes closed until I say, not too tightly though.”

            Nigel did as he was told, and then felt the cool drops hit his warm eyeballs. He flinched and closed them again, immediately. He could hear the doctor puttering around, the sound of his lab coat rustling as he moved, something hitting a tray and a drawer opening and closing.

            “Okay, Nigel, let’s see, open them up.”

            Nigel again shaded his eyes and opened them. He started to smile. It was blurry, but he could see. He could see! “Oh! God! I can see, I can…it’s…it’s blurry, but I can see.’

            “Things will sharpen up for you in a couple of days.” The doctor assured smiling and handed Nigel a pair of dark wrap around glasses. “Wear these outside during the day, your eyes will be extremely sensitive to light for awhile, especially sunlight, but I think you’re going to be just fine.”

            Nigel smiled and rose to shake the doctor’s hands. “Thank you! Really, thank you so much.”

            “All I did, was take off the bandages, your body took care of the rest. Now, nothing strenuous for at least a week, try not to watch television for more that a half-hour to an hour at a time and no reading, unless necessary. Let your eyes adjust.”

            “Yes, yes of course, thank you, again.”

            Nigel left the office and got a cab back to his apartment, where he cheerfully took a nice, long hot shower, scrubbing his hair clean and rinsing away the rest of his cares. He dressed in a khaki colored short sleeve and the green slacks that Sydney once said looked good on him, then walked back to the university.

             Several people greeted him enthusiastically as he walked down the hall, keeping the glasses on, since the halls seemed especially bright. He entered the Ancient Studies office and Karen threw rushed at him, concerned.

            “Nigel! How are you doing? Is there anything I can do for you? How did you get here?”

            Nigel pulled her in for a big hug, almost lifting her off her feet, he was so happy to be able to see her. “Hi, no, no I’m fine, really. I walked.” He lowered the glasses for just a moment and his hazel eyes sparkled up at her. “And I can say with all sincerity, that you look beautiful in blue, Karen.”

            Karen squealed and flushed with pleasure. “Your bandages are off! You can see? Oh Nigel!” She hugged him again. “I’m so happy for you.” Karen couldn’t help herself, she pressed her lips to his in a light-hearted kiss.

             Nigel flushed and smiled. “Yes, me too. She in?”

            “Yes, but she’s in a mood.” Karen pushed part of his fringe away from his face, tenderly. “I’m sure she’ll feel better now.”

            Nigel nodded and headed towards Sydney ’s office. He knocked and waited for half a second before the door was flung open. Sydney had heard Karen’s cries of joy.      

            “Nigel!” She pulled him inside the office and threw her arms around him. “You’re…you can…”

            Nigel smiled and reached back to close the door and switch off the lights so he could remove his glasses. “Doctor says I need to keep these on for a few days, until my eyes adjust to the light.”

            Sydney was so happy; all she could think of to do was hug him again. He could see, and she didn’t have to worry about finding a way for him to stay her assistant, she had him back. “Oh Nigel, I was so worried.” She pulled back and slapped his chest. “Why didn’t you call? I would have brought you to your appointment.”

            Nigel perched on her sofa, and wondered if she realized how much more affectionate she had gotten with him since the explosion, Sydney wasn’t the type to go around hugging people all the time, especially him. They had maintained a professional, if friendly distance most times, even in their toughest situations a squeeze on the arm or shoulder had always sufficed; now she was hugging him every other minute. Then, there was the whole episode in his bathroom a couple of nights ago. He hoped he was right about the reason why, if not, he’d look every bit the fool.

 “I…I needed to do it alone, Syd, in case…”

            Sydney moved to sit beside him. In case he remained blind, he had wanted to face it without her, she understood that, she would probably do the same, but somehow it hurt that he hadn’t asked her to be there. “I understand,” she offered.

            Nigel dipped his head and smiled, staring at the glasses that he held.

            “So, what else did the doctor say?”

            “Um…take it easy, wear these for a few days, no reading…”

            Sydney laughed at his grimace. It had been almost two weeks, since he’d picked up a book, it must be driving him crazy. “I could always read to you, if you’re really desperate.”

            Nigel smirked and glanced at her. “Thanks, but I think I’ll be okay.” He leaned back and closed his eyes. “I’m just so…relieved. I don’t really want to read, I’m just happy to see.” He ran his hand through his hair. “And I don’t feel as dirty anymore.” His smirk grew to a smile as he gazed around the office. “Everything seems so different, the colors, the textures. I never realized how amazing everything could be, until I’d lost the ability to see them. Never appreciated the real…” His gaze rested on her smiling face. “Beauty in the world.”

            Sydney blushed and smiled. “Nigel!” she laughed. He was back to his old self. “This calls for a celebration. I’ll have Karen make reservations for…”

            “Actually, Syd, I’d rather…” Nigel paused and glanced towards the door to make sure they were still alone, a sign he was about to say something he didn’t want anyone else to overhear. “I…I thought we…I mean you and I could…go to…um…I booked a table at Delpino’s, for…for two. If…If you want…to...”

            “Nigel, are you asking me out on a date?” Sydney asked, still smiling, even as her heart leapt into her throat. Was he really going to make the first move? He’d ask her to dinner before, and sometimes they’d take in a film, but she sensed this was different than their usual fare. She hoped he was asking as more than just a friend this time.

            “I…I…Okay.”

            Sydney leaned closer to him, their faces almost touching, reveling in the shy look that Nigel gave her; God she’d missed those eyes of his. “A dinner date?”

            Nigel pursed his lips, and shot her a scolding look for teasing him. “I’m paying,” he enticed.

            She rose. “Then I’m there.”

            Nigel replaced his glasses as he rose. He opened the door for Sydney and they stepped out off the office.

            “Nigel and I have some things to do, Karen, we’ll probably be gone the rest of the day, but I’ll have my phone if you need me.”

            “Okay, have a good evening, guys.”

            They waved and went out. Sydney drove to the restaurant, and they were escorted to the table that Nigel had booked. It was an old fashioned restaurant meant to look like Italy , soft lighting, romantic music, and authentic pasta.

            Nigel had removed his glasses because of the subtle illumination and they had ordered a bottle of wine.

            “Do you intend to get me drunk, Mr. Bailey?” Sydney teased her own fear and excitement making her more brazen than usual. “Take me back to your boudoir and show me your etchings.”

            “Only if you don’t stop teasing me,” Nigel decided, firmly, and then grinned. “And my etchings are far from worth showing. Seriously, Syd, I…I just wanted to show you I…well I appreciate your being there for me; that’s all.”

            Sydney smiled, trying not to show her disappointment. So that was it, he was just being grateful. Damn it all to hell! Although, she wasn’t even sure that she was ready to admit how she felt about him anyway. Her relationships with men were never successful and she didn’t want anything to change the one she had with Nigel, despite what her heart desired.             “Well, good assistants are hard to come by. It’d be a headache finding someone to replace you.”

            Nigel hadn’t picked up his menu; he already knew what he wanted and when the waiter came and they gave their order. Once they were alone again, he shot Sydney a nervous smile. “Well, here we are.”

            “Alone at last,” Sydney whispered, dramatically.

            “Syd, please, I’m nervous enough.
            Sydney frowned, was she wrong in her earlier assumption? She set her glass down. “What is it, Nigel?”

            “I…well….the thing is, Syd…” Nigel fiddled with his spoon. “Um…I…I sort of promised myself that…well that.” He ran his hand over the back of his neck; this wasn’t going as smoothly as he had hoped. He had to be nuts to try this, Sydney would kill him, or laugh at him, or God forbid give him that sad, sympathetic smile just before they got to the ‘I want to be friends’ speech.

            Sydney continued to watch him, wondering what had got him so worked up. “It’s okay, Nigel, just tell me.”

            Nigel took a deep, steadying breath and met her gaze. “Syd, when I thought you were…dead. I…well I was quite…upset over it and I kept thinking that if I’d had one more chance to say…” He paused as the waiter brought their wine and poured it into their glasses, Nigel took a few healthy swallows before proceeding. “ Sydney , do you remember that time in Rome when we were searching for Claudia?”

            “Yes, what about it?”

            “Well….do you remember what I said about...well about not t…telling her how I felt until it seemed too late?”

            Sydney took a sip of her wine and considered his words. “Yes, I remember, Nigel. But you did tell her, after all.”

            “Well, actually, no, you told her, remember?”

            Sydney smirked, remembering her TA’s embarrassment. “Either way she knew how you felt about her.”

            Nigel squirmed in his chair and started playing with his glasses. “Yes, well, the thing of it is, Sydney …” He released a nervous chuckle. “The…the thing of it is, is that…well I…I was very…um…distraught at not…er…telling you a few things. I…I mean I…I wasn’t sure if you knew what…well what you meant to me…really.”

            “Okay.”

            “And…well, when I thought you had died and I lost the chance, and then, well then you weren’t dead, but I…I was. Well, not dead...b…but blind and I…I didn’t feel I had anything to offer, until I found out if I might see again and…and then…I well…um…I promised…um…myself, which is a really…um stupid thing to do because you have to hold…yourself to…to it and...ah…well.”

            “Spit it out, Nigel.” Sydney only had so much patience, after all.

            “I…well…I just…I…”

            “Nigel!”

            “I promised to tell you how I felt about you and that you mean the world to me and I would hate, absolutely hate having anything happen to you, Sydney.”

            Sydney stared at him, startled that he had rushed the words out all in one breath like that.

            “The…the fact is that…that you are my friend and…and my employer and…and so many other things and I would…would die if I lost you, Sydney .”

            Sydney blinked, stunned. The words he had said to her during his nightmare filtered back, and even though she had wished then that he would say them when he was awake, now that her wish had come true, she didn’t know what to say. Nigel continued, mistaking her stunned silence for anger.

            “I didn’t mean for it to happen, well, I mean, I don’t really know what it is, but I just wanted you to know that I do love you. I…I think I may even be in love with you, but I don’t expect you to feel the same and nothing has to change, because I would never expect anything from you, Sydney . I…just friendship, just…us…as we are, is more than enough.” Nigel finally lowered his head, his voice softer when he spoke again. “I understand I’m not exactly your type and I…I just wanted you to know how…how I felt and that…that if maybe…maybe you might try to be a…a little more careful in future if…if you realized how much at least one person would miss you in this world, Sydney…If…if you weren’t…here anymore.”

            “Nigel.” Sydney said finally, when she found her voice. His words had staggered her, stirred something inside her that she had long thought dormant and for the second time in her life, Sydney was moved to the point of tears. She blinked them away and noticed that Nigel still hadn’t lifted his head to look at her; she said his name again. “Nigel!”

            He glanced up, obediently. “Am I fired?”

            “No.”

            “Are you going to hit me?”

            Sydney almost laughed. “No, Nigel, I am not going to hit you. I am however going to take you home.”

            Nigel’s expression fell, and then he sighed, resigned. “Right, of course.” He rose and left some money on the table for their order. He helped Sydney on with her coat, his hands trembling slightly. “I’m sorry, Syd.”

            Sydney was silent.

            Nigel followed her out to the car, silently berating himself for being such a fool. He never should have opened his mouth; he knew she’d be furious, uncomfortable. When would he learn to go with his instincts? They drove in silence, until they came to Sydney ’s house. Nigel glanced at it startled, having expected her to take him to his home and not hers. Would she expect him to catch a cab or walk back because of his mistake?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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