From sclark@best.com Mon Mar 16 08:54:57 1998 Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 15:09:40 -0700 From: clark To: fkfanfic@merlin.darkmage.net Subject: Calling Doctor Dora Permission given to archive at fkfanfic website and the FTP site. No other permission is granted to repost/reprint/reuse. If you're interested, drop me a line. Also, any feedback is welcome. And, as always, this is based on characters and situations that aren't mine. Thanks to TPTB for the use. They've been hermetically sealed and placed carefully back in the original wrapper. Calling Doctor Dora by S. Clark "Ok, we've got our next caller. You're on the line, Natasha." Doctor Dora counted to herself, slowly. One-Mississippi. Two-Mississippi. "Natasha, are you there?" "Yes. Yes, I am," stammered a voice. Doctor Dora glanced at Paul, her producer, and rolled her eyes. Another hesitant one. "Natasha, dear. Please speak up. Tell me why you're calling." "It's my, umm, boyfriend." "Umm boyfriend? What's an boyfriend?" "It's complicated." "Ok, then. Complicated. Let's start from the top." Doctor Dora paused long enough to take a sip of water. "You like this guy, Natasha?" "Yes" "And how does he feel about you?" "I think..." "You think? Has he ever said anything about how he feels?" "We work together so I see him a lot. We do things together outside of work. He says he cares for me." "And I care for my producer, Natasha. We work together. We do things outside of work. That doesn't mean I'm sleeping with him. Now, what makes you think you have a basis for a relationship with this man?" "We've tried to see each other but there's some interference from his family." "What kind of interference?" "His sis...uh...ex-wife..." "His what?" "Ex-wife. She's somewhat jealous, I think, of our relationship." "He was with her for a long time?" "Almost a century," the caller responded absently. Then she tacked on a hasty, "or so they act." "Then why did he leave her?" "She left him, actually. He says they're just friends now. But sometimes, when I see those bl....uh...lipstick stains on his collar. Well, you know." "And did these two make babies together?" "Together?" "Yes, dear. Do they have children?" "Together? No." "You're sounding a little hesitant, Natasha. Does he have other children?" "Possibly." "Possibly? Possibly? This man sleeps around, making babies. Sleeps with his ex-wife. And you see him as a good candidate for a relationship? This does not sound like a grounded adult to me." "He's confused. As I said, there's a lot of family pressure." "Pressure? Someone's going up to this man and saying sleep with your ex? Sleep around? Go make babies?" "In a manner of speaking." "And who would this commanding influence be? His father?" The caller paused a moment. "More of an uncle, actually. But he, uh, raised him." "So, the uncle's a pig and is trying to get this guy to be one also?" "Something like that." "And what makes you want into this mess? You know, if you get involved with him you also get his family." "But he wants out." "So you think you can save him?" "Maybe. I'm willing to try. To help." "And have you helped?" "I think so. In a way." "Are you sure he's not just keeping you around? Using you for your help? This guy doesn't sound like the commitment type." "I trust him." "Trust is one thing but how do you know he won't just split town tomorrow?" "Actually, I don't." "So, you trust this guy who may leave you. I don't suppose you're also sleeping with him?" "Actually, no. Not that I wouldn't." "So, this pillar of virtue sleeps around but won't sleep with you? How does he suddenly find moral fiber in your presence?" "I don't know." "You don't know? Maybe you should ask. Be adults. Discuss." Doctor Dora shook her head at the thought of what some women let themselves get into. "Has there been any talk of commitment?" "Not precisely." "Of course not precisely. You've already said you're afraid he might leave. He's got his ex-honey on the side. And you support him through all of this. Why should he commit to you?" The caller was silent. Doctor Dora continued. "Look at your life, dear. Decide what you really want. If he wants you he'll commit. But the honesty and trust need to be established. The communication needs to be there." "I suppose I knew that." "Of course you did. Now, you said you see each other outside of work. Take the time to talk with him. And make friends with his family. Give a little; it won't kill you." "I'm not certain about that. But thank you, Doctor Dora." "You're welcome, Natasha. And we'll be back with another call after this break." Doctor Dora turned off her mike and took another sip of water. "Paul?" "Yes, Doctor?" "No more calls from Toronto today. Between that woman, Natasha, and the earlier call from the lovesick cop, Rick, it's depressing. I think they all need to be in a warmer climate. Get out into the sun or something." Paul nodded and signaled to the doctor that they were going back on the air. "Ok, welcome back. Our next caller is," she glared at Paul, "also from Toronto." Paul shrugged and typed a quick apology into the computer explaining the caller was already waiting on hold. The doctor continued with the introduction. "Luke, thanks for calling. You're having problems with your children not respecting your authority?"