Page 49 of Dark Shaman: Love Found
"Sixteen hours?" Tim frowned. "What's the point of escaping government servitude if you work even longer hours?"
"What can I say? I love what I do, and I'm appreciated."
"What about your girlfriend? Did she dump you already?"
Roni's face transformed. "Sylvia is awesome, and no, she didn't dump me. She loves me, and when she misses me, she comes down to the lab and helps me, but the people down there don't like it when she comes in."
"Why not?"
Roni grimaced. "Her special talent is frying electronics. Not something you want around sensitive equipment."
"I bet." Tim nodded. "Immortals are supposed to have paranormal talents. What's yours?"
Roni cast him an incredulous look. "Isn't that obvious? I'm a super hacker. Besides, not all of them have paranormal talents. Does Hildegard have one?"
Tim hadn't asked. Did she have a special talent?
"She's unnaturally hot."
Roni chuckled. "That's not a talent."
"I disagree."
"Whatever, man." Roni shook his head. "It's so strange to hear your voice coming out of that skinny face. You're like one of those before-and-after photos, except someone fast-forwarded through the middle part."
"I'd love to see this lab of yours," Tim said, changing the subject before they could delve too deeply into his transformation. Things were still too new, too strange to examine closely. "Once I can walk more than ten feet without collapsing, that is."
"Deal. But only if you promise not to draw caricatures of anyone."
"Why not?"
"Because you are a mean bastard, and I happen to like the people I work with. I don't want you to traumatize them."
"Fine. But only if you promise to accompany me to the gym once I'm out of here. I don't want to be the only weakling struggling to lift baby weights."
"Can't promise that. My work schedule is insane. But I'll make an effort. Maybe. If my schedule allows."
"Your schedule is whatever you make it now," Tim pointed out.
"Not really. Work needs to be done, and most of the time I'm the only one who can do it." Roni stood, stretching. "I should go. Hildegard said she'd be back to torture you with physical therapy, and I don't want to get in the way of that."
After Roni departed, the door opened again almost immediately, and Hildegard walked in carrying resistance bands.
"Ready to work?" she asked, her tone suggesting that 'no' wasn't an acceptable answer.
"Do I have a choice?"
"You always have a choice. You can lie there and atrophy or you can get your ass up and start rebuilding." She set the bands aside and moved to his bed. "But first, clothes. Can't have you doing exercises in a hospital gown and flashing me with your scrawny ass."
Tim held up the shirt. "Roni brought me a few of his things. I haven't worn this size since elementary school."
"Let's see what we have here." She picked up a pair of sweatpants, examining them. "These will work. Do you need help getting dressed?"
The question was asked professionally, but Tim couldn't resist. "I always want your hands on me."
She rolled her eyes. "Behave or I'll make the exercises extra difficult."
"You say that like it's a deterrent."
