RESURGENCE

BOOK 2: Chapter 11

Peter sat in the coffee shop waiting for Christine as he noticed the sterile environment around him. The walls were painted deep purple and were bare. The ELF's didn't care about paintings or any art in general. Chatter among the patrons filled the coffee shop and Peter wished there was some music to drown out the noise.

While Peter was lost in his thoughts, Christine had entered the coffee shop.

"Hi," said Christine.

Peter got up on seeing her so he could give her a hug.

"Hi, I didn't see you come in." Before he could say anything else, Christine kissed him on the lips and hugged him tightly. To display such affection in public was rare for her. Shocked by her unexpected behavior, Peter's body stiffened. Christine wanted to kiss him passionately and probed his lips with her tongue. Peter was shell shocked and became extremely conscious of his surroundings and the people around them. He didn't respond to her passion as she had hoped. She broke the kiss and stared at him in confusion.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I love you," she said.

"I love you too."

"So why are you acting all weird? You not happy to see me? You embarrassed to kiss me?" Tears started flowing down Christine's cheeks as she sat down on the chair opposite to Peter.

"I'm delighted to see you. I just didn't expect you to be so bold. You're usually shy. I'm a bit shocked... In a good way."

"I feel different," said Christine. "You were right about being human. It is empowering in a weird way. I couldn't have imagined it."

"So you'e not mad at me for drugging you and changing your DNA without your permission?" asked Peter with a smile.

"At first I was livid. I didn't know I was angry. I thought I had gone nuts as it was the first time ever I experienced anger in my life."

"Quite intense. Isn't it?"

"Oh yeah, but once I got over that, I missed you. I just wanted to talk with you and be with you. Is this what love is to humans?"

"It's a part of it. I think."

"It's good to see you."

"You too," he said as he took her hand in his hands. "Let's get out of here."

"Where are we going?"

"On an adventure," Peter said with a grin.

They spent the next few hours exploring the city. A sense of calm surrounded them as they traveled together. They made plans for their future, marveled at their new found emotions, and kissed quite a bit.

As they sat waiting for dinner in an Italian restaurant, Peter said, "I could spend the rest of my life just staring into your eyes. Lost in the depth of your beauty."

The words made Christine blush.

"I feel so relaxed," she said. "I'm not worried about a thing in the world as long as we are together."

They did not notice a cop walking up to their table.

"Christine Nixon?" asked the cop.

"Yes," she said.

"Your father lodged a missing person report this afternoon. He said he has been trying to contact you and was worried about your well being."

"I'm fine. I just lost track of time and didn't pay attention to my phone."

"Lost track of time?" asked the cop with a concerned look as it was uncommon for ELF's to wander aimlessly. "Would you like to see a doctor?"

"No, I'm fine. I'll call my dad to assure him that everything is alright and he can withdraw the report."

"Sure," said the cop.

Christine quickly called her dad and explained what had happened.

"Here you go officer. My dad would like to speak with you."

"Ok," said the cop and stepped away with the phone.

"I was quite confused this morning, feeling the way I was," Christine whispered to Peter. "My dad must have got worried seeing me like that."

"No big deal," said Peter. "Here comes our food."

A waiter brought out two plates of beautifully prepared food for them. She got chicken parmesan and he had spaghetti with meatballs. Before they could begin, the cop came back.

"Your father is worried about you. He just told me to escort you to your home. Please come with me."

"What? I just talked to him. I'll call him again."

"I'm sorry I can't let you do that. Please come with me."

Christine looked at Peter in desperation, who pursed his lips and nodded. she got his subtle message to follow the cop's order. Peter watched her leave with the cop. Instinctively he decided to follow the cop's car to her home and then pick her up once she had calmed her dad. Halfway to her home the cop car took an unexpected turn.

Maybe he taking a different route, thought Peter. Certainly the longer one.

Five minuted later, Peter's heart sank as he saw the cop car pull into the city hospital.

If they test her DNA, they'll freak out, thought Peter. I need to get her out of there.