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You don't sound happy about that.

No, collapsing at work is not something to be happy about.

Is there anything I can do to make the stay a bit better?

[He looked over the chart before looking at her.]

Tell me I don't have something terrible?

[Hey, the last time she was a patient in a hospital she was having a tumor removed, so she doesn't have high hopes here. But more than likely, she's just overworked.]

Well according to this I'd advise something simple. No pharmacy even needed. Bed.

You mean other than the one I'm in right now?

[Chuckles.]

Sorry, just...it sounds so much easier than it actually is. My life is crazy and I'm just trying to keep up.

You'll need to take it easy or the next stay might be longer.

My job doesn't allow for a lot of downtime.

[To explain:]

I'm an Assistant District Attorney. Junior one on the totem pole, too. And I don't want to lose this job. I already had to work hard enough just to afford law school.

Can't keep a job if you run yourself into the ground, but I do get you.

Yeah, well. If you worked for the best lawyer in the state you wouldn't want to disappoint him either.

[A soft laugh.]

Those charts didn't say anything about cancer, did they?

If you are wondering if it was found, no. I don't see any indicators of it.

Good. I, um, had a tumor removed a few years ago and I worried. I'm sorry, I must sound so paranoid. I'm not really good with being in hospitals. Or on my own.

And now I'm rambling.

[He chuckled gently and sat down on the stool looking at her. He was trying to set her at ease, sometimes it worked.]

Trust me I have seen much worse than someone worried about their health like this.

Yeah, well. I worry about a lot. I'm pretty much notorious for that with all that's gone wrong in my life. I was just now starting to feel like things were going to be different.

Do you drink enough water a day? Sometimes something that simple can help. I mean wouldn't give up hope that it's going to be different just yet.

I don't keep track, but I try to stop for breaks when I can. Granted, sometimes that's eating lunch while working, but I try. I haven't been sleeping as well as I used to either.

More sleep, lots of water. Just rest more. Can't accomplish anything if you run yourself ragged.

Says the guy who's probably working a 14-hour shift.

[He chuckled at that, she wasn't far off. He gave her such a charming smile though.]

Do as I say, not as I do.

Right.

[Okay he was charming. Enough that she might be blushing a little.]

You're lucky I have a thing for authority figures.

Good, because I can be very bossy.

You know sometimes that can be a good thing.

[It slips out before she can actually think about it. Now she's hoping he doesn't take it the way it was meant to be taken.]

Oh trust me, I know.

[There was that smile again, he clearly knew how it was meant to be taken.]

[Now she was blushing even more.]

That's the fun way. I don't get enough of that, more of the overprotective older brother way.

Everyone should have more of the fun way.

I'm what you would call sheltered.

[Chuckles.]

Only recently I got this job and have been able to stand on my own a little bit. Heck, once Andrew hears this I'm going to get an earful.

Andrew is your brother correct?

[He does have access to her information after all.]

Protective type?

Yes, my older brother. And very protective.

[There's a certain sadness that crosses her eyes for a second because she knows why, but that's not information she tells anybody, really. So in hopes of him not asking, she tries to deflect the conversation with another joke.]

You're lucky he's not here because he'd be sizing you up just for talking to me.

[He chuckled softly, he wasn't the uptight type of doctor. Definitely cut of a different cloth with tattoos showing on his arm without a care.]

Being sized up is a common thing for men. Think we are always sizing up other men around us without knowing it.

Andrew does that on a reflex. Either because he's protecting me or he's interested in you.

So pretty much his default setting?

Yeah. He was a Marine, so it's a habit with him.

Habits die hard.

My brother's a special case. But that's a different kind of heart problem and you're not that kind of doctor.

I'm prying too much, but hey look. You are much more at ease now.

Okay, okay, you're right. [Chuckles.] And I've probably taken up too much of your time. Thanks for being here with me.

I like to make sure patients are at ease. Never helps them to be over stressed about an already stressful situation.

[There was that smile again.]

[And now she was blushing again.]

I appreciate it. I don't have a lot of people to talk to. And you seem like a great guy.

I do try to be. It can be hard but I do my best.

I'm sure you do. [Smiles and then leans in to kiss his cheek gently.] Thanks for making a terrible night a lot better.

You are welcome, and remember I order you to relax a bit more and take care of yourself. [He winked and smiled as he walked out.]