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Trent woke up a few hours later, looking at his watch to see just how late it was. When he looked at his hand he noticed something and laughed out loud. Jeff heard the laughter from where he was and made his way to the room. He'd woken up himself a little earlier and was waiting for signs of life from Trent.
“You're awake now? What's so funny?” Jeff asked him, leaning against the door frame. Trent held up his hands with a huge grin on his face. Jeff looked at them for a few seconds before he realised what had happened. His jaw dropped before he started laughing too. It was mostly out of disbelief at what he was seeing. Trent had eight fully formed fingers on each hand, complete with two thumbs as well. Somehow, amazingly, his finger had grown back. Trent was not just impossible to kill, but his body healed any wounds, including dismemberment. Trent was almost tempted to see if his head could grow back. Almost. There was a limit to curiosity and definitely one to stupidity. He held that belief no matter how much humanity seemed to want to prove him wrong.
“Did that really happen?” Jeff asked. Trent stuck his hands in his pockets and fidgeted around, looking for something. After a few seconds of searching he pulled his hand out of his pocket and with it, the fingertip that he'd cut off.
“Somehow,” Trent replied, playing with the finger “that did in fact happen.” He laughed again and pocketed the finger again. He pointed at Jeff, still laughing. “It seems like you owe me a date”. Jeff buried his face in his palm.
“Why are you keeping that thing?” Jeff asked.
“Well that Osborne fella might not believe us”, Trent replied. “But you're avoiding the point. When can I meet your sister?” Trent teased. Jeff shook his head before replying.
“No, no, no you aren't getting to meet her. Is there anything else? I did not expect this to happen, and it will not happen,” Jeff said. Trent stroked his stubble, wishing he had a beard. He gave it some thought and slapped his hands on his legs when he was done.
“The ship” Trent said simply. “I'll call the date off if you call off that I owe you money for the ship. I'm out of money and I need the money I can get for myself, so I can be off on my way”. Trent explained. Jeff was a bit sad at this thought. He didn't really want Trent to go, and he did see this debt as a way to keep him around. It also hardly seemed like a fair trade.
“Do you really have to go so soon?” Jeff asked, before he could stop himself. Trent put his hands behind his head and looked up at the ceiling.
“I think I'll be around for a few weeks or so, I don't know how long it will take”. Jeff's face dropped. “But”, Trent continued, lowering his head to look at Jeff, “you can still come with me if you want. This would still be partly your ship you know”. Jeff looked back up, smiling again. Trent smiled back and got out of bed. “Say, just when does your man Osborne finish work? Can we still go see him there now?” he asked Jeff. Jeff checked the time, and saw that they could still catch Osborne at work. So the two of them headed out and started walking towards the hospital. Trent was joking about how his date with Jeff's sister could have gone while Jeff was laughing it off and thanking Trent for saying he could still go with him if he wanted.
When they arrived back at the hospital they went up to the reception desk where they were greeted by a blonde woman who recognised Jeff.
“Good afternoon Jeff. You're in kind of early.” She said. She looked next to him and saw Trent. Trent smiled at her and she smiled back. Her cheeks reddened a little when she saw him and she had trouble looking him in the eye. “My,” she said softly, “who's your friend?” she asked. Trent put on his best smile, flashing her his teeth, which just reddened her cheeks more.
“Trent Saxon ma'am” he said. His accent sounded a little different but Jeff couldn't quite put his finger on what it was. Trent extended his hand for her to shake. Thankfully this particular lady had not heard that they recently pulled in a dead guy by that name so she was more than happy to shake his hand. “Me and Jeff” he started, patting a stunned Jeff on the back, “are just here to visit Dr. Daniel Osborne, could you please tell us where we can find him?”
“Sure thing” she replied before checking her computer. “Let's see. Ah, at this time he's supposed to be in his office. You can find it on the second floor, I think Jeff knows the way anyway, don't you Jeff?”. It took another quick pat on the back by Trent to bring Jeff back into the world.
“Answer the nice ladies' question Jeff.” Trent said, “Do you know the way to Doctor Osborne’s office?”.
“Errr...yeah.” Jeff said. Shaking his head and snapping back into reality properly he continued
“Yeah I know where it is, thank you very much.”
“Oh it was my pleasure” the receptionist said, with one more look at Trent before he walked off with Jeff, waving goodbye to her.
“What was that about?” Jeff asked Trent as they were walking down the corridor to the stairs.
“What was what?” Trent said, playing innocent. His voice seemingly back to normal.
“What you were doing to her. Just what were you doing?”
“I was being nice and respectful to a lady, no one ever teach you to do that?”. Trent asked with a smirk. They reached the stairs and started climbing up. Jeff was silent on the way up but he started talking again when they were heading down the next corridor.
“Sure they did, but not...that.” Jeff said, looking away. Trent just laughed and noticed a door that had Dr. Osborne's name on it.
“Well maybe you should do it as much as you can” he said before knocking on the door.
“Come in” Osborne called from inside the room. Trent and Jeff walked in saw that Dr. Osborne was sat at his desk surrounded by paperwork. He looked up to see who entered and when he saw them, he stood up and motioned to the chairs in front of his desk. “Welcome back boys, have a seat.” Dr. Osborne welcomed them. He then sat back down.
“Thanks Danny” Trent responded before sitting down and relaxing, crossing his legs and leaning back with his hands behind his head. Jeff sat down in the other chair, resting his forearms on his legs and leaning forward slightly.
“What did you call me?” asked Osborne, looking aghast.
“Danny” Trent responded without missing a beat. “Cos your name's Daniel see.”
“Exactly. My name is Daniel, so, call me Daniel.” Daniel said. He wasn't a big fan of nicknames.
“Danny, Daniel, what's the difference doc?” Trent asked casually. He had no problems with nicknames himself and thought Daniel really needed to relax. At this Daniel looked pretty mortified.
“Doc? I thought I told you about that already?” Daniel asked, resting his head in his hands. This was becoming exasperating to him.
“Yeah you did” Trent said, pretending to ponder the question, “but again, doc, doctor, what's the difference?”
“There's a lot of difference” Daniel said. He was going to continue but instead he just sighed and gave up, choosing to just let Trent do what he wanted. He leaned back in his chair before sitting forward again, leaning against his desk. “So what are you here for anyway?” Daniel asked them.
“Well,” Trent started, leaning forward himself, “With a bit of help from Jeff, I was able to get myself another ship. Now, I've asked Jeff if he wants to come along, and he's said yes. I'm now going to ask if I can actually borrow Jeff, and I'm also going to extend the same offer to you. You're welcome to come with me.” Trent explained.
“Please let me go” Jeff pleaded. He'd actually not thought about this. He wanted to go but he knew that he wouldn't be able to if Osborne didn't give him permission to. Well, he could go, but then he would have to lose his job. Daniel leaned back again, giving it all some thought. He leaned forward again and looked at Jeff.
“You can go Jeff, your job will still be here waiting for you when you get back” he started before Jeff's celebratory “yes!” interrupted him. Jeff looked away sheepishly. Daniel then turned his attention to Trent. “But I'm afraid I can't go too. I just have too many commitments here. I have a demanding job, and my family, to consider.”
“I can understand that” Trent said, standing up and smiling. “Thanks for letting me borrow Jeff though, I'll have him back in one piece.” Daniel grimaced a bit at that.
“Please do, he's not as indestructible as you. Don't forget that.” Once again, things Jeff hadn't considered. Trent was quick to reassure him though. He placed an arm around him and ruffled his hair.
“Don't worry none about him Doc, I'm only taking him on a journey, nothing dangerous. Just a bit of exploration.” Trent said. Jeff let out a sigh of relief.
“Thank you from me too Doc-” Daniel raised an eyebrow at him “-tor Osborne. I'll be safe, I trust Trent. I just want to see some of the things he's seen is all.” Trent ruffled his hair again with a smile on his face.
“That's the spirit boy. I need you to be a bit patient though. I need to go back home before we can leave.” Trent said. Jeff looked a little sad at that.
“Where is that? Will you really come back?” Jeff asked. He was worried that Trent might actually disappear on him. Nothing this exciting had ever happened to him before. Once again Trent was quick to reassure him. He took his hat off and placed it on Jeff's head.
“I'm just going down south to pick some things up. I'll be back tomorrow. To pick up you and my hat. You be a good boy while I'm gone.” Trent teased him. Jeff punched him playfully in the ribs.
“I'm not a kid you know, don't treat me like one.” Jeff said with a smirk. Trent laughed at him as he let him go and walked towards the door.
“Then don't act like one, now, I'll see you tomorrow. Don't forget to prepare for the journey yourself” he said as he left the office, leaving Daniel and Jeff on their own.
“Hey Jeff, did he ask you about your parents?” Daniel asked after Trent had left. Jeff shrugged and looked at Daniel solemnly. “It was nice he asked me, but surely he thought they would have an opinion?” Daniel asked. Jeff just shrugged again.
“I guess he just thought I was old enough to make my own decisions.” Jeff surmised. “Maybe he just thought you were my dad for some reason?” Jeff offered. Daniel smirked, showing that he did in fact have a sense of humour.
“Maybe. I guess you'll have to deal with that when it comes up. You heading back to the house now?” Daniel asked. Jeff nodded and put Trent's hat on. Daniel couldn't help but laugh at it. Jeff was about to take it back off when Daniel stopped laughing. “Hey, keep it on. It suits you.” Daniel said. Jeff let out a weak laugh.
“Guess I'll see you later then.” Jeff said, tipping his head towards Daniel. Daniel smiled at him and dismissed him. When Jeff was gone, Daniel looked down at his desk and saw the picture of his family that he kept there. In it, he was stood next to his wife with their two children in front of them. Between the two children was a very happy looking Jeff.
Maybe Trent just saw that and came to his own conclusions...Daniel thought to himself.
