Time: Modern Day
Location: Vatican City

Carter heard voices, he was expecting a lecture from Teacher. . . one of the voices was familiar but it wasn't Teacher's, it was the surgeon, the one from the operating theatre.

The other voice he knew but couldn't place immediately, then it dawned on him, it was Father Dan's.

The surgeon said, "He's coming around, he'll be disoriented, and probably thirsty as hell . . . sorry Father."

"That's okay my son, I'm used to that, I'm from Australia you know. You've done amazing work. We will be forever in your debt. The Pope himself will probably contact you to add his personal thanks. How long did you say he has been in a coma?"

"It's been a little over a week since he was brought in, Friday before last. I'll never forget that night as long as I live."

"Indeed so. Anyway, you must be busy. I can look after his needs now . . . thank you . . . and ask the nurse to give us twenty minutes or so on your way out would you? Petros and I need to have a little talk."

"Okay Father. I'll just quickly check his vitals, but go easy on him. He is still quite fragile. He's been through a lot of physical trauma not to mention the emotional stress. He'll probably tire quickly."

"There you go. He's come through pretty well it seems. Sing out if you need anything; the nurse will send for me immediately if anything changes."

Carter began to blink, the light was blinding. It was the sun . . . streaming through the third story window. He caught a glimpse of the top of palm trees through the window to his left.

He felt weird, he was in Peter's body, his father's mind. He was using Peter's brain, his memory. He knew where he was . . . the Vatican hospital. He began to remember what had happened. He looked over to his right . . . right into the eyes of Father Dan.

"Shit . . . Petros. What's happened to your eyes. They're . . . blue!"

Carter groaned. He didn't recognise his own voice though. It wasn't his voice. It was Peter's. It was the priest's . . . what he now knew was his biological father's voice!

Father Dan picked up Peter's admission sheet. He checked what the surgeon had written about his condition. Then he noticed, written in Italian, Distinguishing Features - Eyes - brown. But, 'brown' had been crossed out by someone and replaced with 'blue'.

Carter tried to half sit up but then collapsed in agony as the stitches in Peter's chest and side screamed their resistance.

"How long did he say I have been here?" Petros(Carter) groaned.
(Author's Note: from here on we will refer to Carter in Peter Margate's body as either Petros(Carter) or PC for short)

"It was just over a week ago since it all happened. Listen, and listen carefully to me if you don't want to spend the rest of your life in court, or prison," Dan cautioned him.

Dan paused and without awaiting a response, continued, "The police are wanting to interview you. This is what you are telling them. It is to be similar to what Graz has told them, but not identical. It is important you put your own take on it. Do you understand the seriousness of what you've done Petros?"

"Where is Graz. I need to talk to him . . . to explain!"

"The police won't let you see him until they have had a chance to interview you.

"At the moment Graz is somewhat under suspicion. It was he who set up the meeting and he appears to be the only one who escaped unscathed and benefited from Enrico's death. They have him under surveillance and he is confined to the Vatican for now. As close as the police can get to house arrest in the Vatican!"

Petros{Carter}'s mind was racing. This was so weird. As he listened to Dan speak he was able to access Peter's memory bank of what had happened, yet he had the knowledge . . . the spiritual awareness of his, Carter's, role and memory of what had happened. He could watch and scroll back and forth through Peter's innermost thoughts, feelings and memories . . . just like a movie with a remote control. All the while with the certain knowledge that he was Carter Cheval, not Peter Margate but that he carried the guilt, and yet the elation of both.

"Petros, Petros! Are you listening to me? What the hell is wrong with you? You're like a different person! You certainly acted out of character . . . shit Petros . . ." Dan looked around to make sure no-one was there in the room,

"I know about Amelia now . . . and Carter, and Monique. Graz just told me!" he lied." I understand what you were going through, but, shit, Petros . . . to kill Enrico, then Andre, and I guess you would have killed Anton too, if the guards hadn't intervened. Would you have killed me too? If I had been there. Would you have killed me too? Answer me Petros . . . honestly." Dan shivered as he sunk into the deep piercing blue eyes that seemed to stare back into the recesses of his very soul.

There was a pregnant pause. Petros(Carter) took hold of Dan's hand, and squeezed it . . . a little too hard, "Why Dan, why would I want to kill you? You had nothing to do with Amelia's death did you? You had nothing to do with any of this! Did you! Did you?" Petros(Carter) squeezed a little harder till Dan winced in pain and pulled his hand through Petros(Carter)'s weakening grasp.

"You're starting to scare me now, Petros. I know you've been through a lot, and Graz saved you for a higher purpose. Do not blow it now. Of course I had nothing to do with this. I was as shocked as you when Graz told me. I love the Chevals. We've been friends for years. You know that, how could you think I would do anything to hurt any of them . . . let alone Amelia. You know how I feel about you! You are like a son to me. I would never intentionally hurt you or your friends. I want to help you. To protect you from all this. It's all I've ever wanted. You must believe that!

"I don't know what, or who, I believe anymore."

"You can believe this, unless you get this story straight you will end up, either in prison for the rest of your life, or if you're lucky, Anton will kill you before you get to trial."

"Are you threatening me, Dan?"

"No, just some 'fatherly' advice. Are you willing to listen?"

"I guess you have a captive audience at the moment. So what does Graz suggest I tell the cops?"

Dan released a nervous sigh as he shifted the chair closer and took a conspiratorial position near Petros(Carter)'s right ear. "Now listen carefully, I shall say this only once . . ." He laughed nervously, trying to inject some humour into the tense situation. "This is what Graz wants to happen . . ."

#word count: 2015#