Note: A lot of you have asked me what the cost was for Johanna to have pulled that stunt saving Abel. And a lot of you have asked about Johanna's exposure to the Methusaleh bacilli. Read on for the answers to both questions.

Unexpected Results, Part LXIV

Vaclav: "So, the prodigal nun returns at last..."

Johanna: "It's good to see you too, Father. Come to visit the invalid?"

Vaclav: "Not just me..."

Johanna: "Sister Esther, Sister Noelle, hi!"

Noelle: "It's good to see you again, Sister. I gather you've had quite a trying time in Antwerp."

Johanna: "That's one way to put it."

Esther: "We've been so worried, ever since we got Father Nightroad's reports about what was going on!"

Johanna: "God, I can just imagine what Father Abel said about this whole mess."

Vaclav: "He actually hasn't talked much to anyone since your return two days ago."

Johanna: "I imagine he has a lot on his mind. I mean, our trip to Antwerp was hardly a victory for our side."

Noelle: "Don't be so hard on yourself. Things don't always go as well as we'd like them to, but the important thing is that we not give up."

Johanna: "I know, I know. I just wish... I could have done better."

Esther: "You did everything you could! What more could you have done?"

Johanna: "I... don't know. All I do know is... I've been asking myself that question for over a week. And I still don't have an answer..."

WWW: "Good evening, your Eminence."

Caterina: "I got your message about Sister Johanna's medical tests. How is she, William?"

WWW: "Remarkably lucky, all things considered. She took a terrible gamble when she saved Abel's life. But..."

Caterina: "I gather that her efforts were not without consequences."

WWW: "I'm afraid so. Although Sister Kate and I arrived in time to save her life..."

Caterina: "How bad is it? And be honest, Professor."

WWW: "After all our tests... damage to her nervous system, and complications in both her cardiovascular system and immune system."

Caterina: "No..."

WWW: "Fine muscle control is already more difficult for her, like when she was holding a glass earlier. When she's not looking at her hand, her hand and arm starts trembling. She's also had a hard time picking things up and holding them in just two fingers."

Caterina: "I see... and you were saying about her heart?"

WWW: "The instruments detected an irregularity in her her heartbeat that wasn't there before. Also, her circulation isn't as good as it was before. She'll have to be careful about her hands and feet; sensation in them appear to be diminished. And as far as her immune system goes... her white blood cell production is less than it should be. She'll be more susceptible to illness."

Caterina: "Does she know?"

WWW: "I think she suspects. She might not know exactly what's wrong with her, but... I think on some level, she is aware."

Caterina: "Very well."

WWW: "Um, one more thing, your Eminence. Father Nightroad said that Sister Johanna had been bitten by a vampire while in Antwerp, with the intent of making her one of them. But... there's no trace of vampire DNA in her."

Caterina: "At all?"

WWW: "None whatsoever."

Caterina: "Is it possible that it's just... dormant?"

WWW: "No, my lady. Even if she hadn't turned, it would still be there. But there's nothing."

Caterina: "Is it possible that when she gave her blood to Abel, he removed it?"

WWW: "It is a possibility. Either that... or she's naturally immune to the bacilli. Of course, the only way to confirm that theory would be to inject her with vampire bacilli again."

Caterina: "That decision will be strictly up to her, if she is willing to cooperate with further medical testing. I won't use her as a lab rat."

WWW: "I understand."

Caterina: "Good evening, Johanna."

Johanna: "Eminence! I apologize for not being able to get up."

Caterina: "It's all right... how do you feel?"

Johanna: "Sick of being poked and prodded, tired of this bland food they insist on serving patients, and still a bit mentally off, but I'll be fine eventually. And the Professor helped me set up a computer terminal in here, so I won't be too bored."

Caterina: "I wanted to discuss your recent performance in Antwerp."

Johanna: "Yeah, um... I know you put a lot of faith in me when you sent me with Father Abel and Father Leon, and... I'm sorry I let you down."

Caterina: "Why do you say that?"

Johanna: "Well, it was hardly a resounding success. I panicked under the pressure, nearly got myself killed, we weren't able to stop the Rosencreutz from killing Memling, then there was that whole mess at Our Lady's Cathedral, Father Abel having to rescue me... how long a list do you want?"

Caterina: "And you think I blame you for any of that?"

Johanna: "Well, don't you? It was the height of unprofessional!"

Caterina: "Sister Johanna, if you haven't learned by now from being assigned with those two, my definition of 'unprofessional' has to be quite flexible."

Johanna: "Oh."

Caterina: "Both Father Abel and Father Leon told me about your work in Antwerp. Your intelligence gathering is an invaluable asset to us. Yes, your performance in the field was not quite up to standard, but in time, that will improve."

Johanna: "That all depends on when the Professor and the doctors clear me for active duty again."

Caterina: "Yes... about that. I'm... I'm afraid that I have some unpleasant news about your test results."

Johanna: "I know..."

Caterina: "Y-you do? But-"

Johanna: "When the doctors got evasive with my questions, I just hacked into the medical database. I saw what was there."

Caterina: "I see..."

Johanna: "I don't regret what I did, your Eminence. I'd do it again, if I had to."

Caterina: "Hopefully, it never comes to that. But, as of now, you will remain on restricted duty until you've either fully recovered, or the exact limitations of your health are determined. Your AX training can continue, but I cannot risk assigning you to the field again."

Johanna: "Great... I'm a whole new type of burden now."

Caterina: "Sister..."

Johanna: "Don't worry, my lady, I just go through these moping fits every now and again. I'll get over it eventually. In the meantime, what do you want me to do?"

Caterina: "Well, you'll remain in the medical wing until the doctors clear you, which shouldn't be too long. After that... I intend to turn you loose on the Rosencreutz. Use whatever methods you deem necessary to obtain intelligence about them. I gather you won't be averse to that assignment."

Johanna: "Not at all, your Eminence. Not at all..."

Caterina: "Good. Now, you should get some rest. I need to meet with Sister Kate about her most recent report to me. It seems there's been an incident in Barcelona..."

To be continued...
... in Unexpected Results II: In All the Empty Places

End note: So one story arc ends, and another begins. After forty-four chapters, I can no longer avoid the events of canon that wait just beyond, so I will do what I do best... work around them! Starting with the first chapter of In All the Empty Places, the dialogue-only format will be put to rest (now that I know I CAN in fact tell a story strictly in dialogue), as I return to my usual prose.

To everyone who has so ardently cheered on Sister Johanna Sinclair, I do hope you'll continue to follow along with everyone's favorite time-bending, trouble-making, techie pagan nun and her madcap misadventures! And don't forget to vote in the poll up on my profile, on how the "Unexpected Results" trilogy should end!