Title: Recovery
Author: Fallenbelle
Rating: T for mentions of sexual acts
Summary: When he wasn't well, he preferred to be left alone until he was himself again. There was no sense in involving others in his misery.
Spoilers: 811-All That Glitters
Characters: Julia Ogden, William Murdoch
Note: It looked like Julia was being verrrry protective of William at the end of All That Glitters (even if she did look uber hot while doing it) and Convalescence demonstrated that William doesn't like to be fussed over. Future parts will follow shortly.
The return journey from Haleyberry would have been long and tiring even if one was in good health. Recovering from a gunshot wound to his shoulder, William found it downright grueling and wasn't sure if he could survive the constant jarring and rattling of the train as it passed over rough tracks that only made his injured shoulder hurt even more. But, recognizing the buildings, he knew the end was in sight, and Union Station was near. Relief was imminent.
Or was it?
Truth be told, William was somewhat apprehensive about coming home. On the one hand, he was going to be treated by Julia, who would no doubt take very good care of him. On the other, he was going to be fretted over by Julia, who would no doubt worry over him to no end.
To be honest, he wasn't looking forward to it. Previously when he'd been sick or injured, he'd preferred to just sleep it off, doing his best to even evade Mrs. Kitchen, who no doubt meant well, but whose fussing bothered him. Eventually, she'd learned to leave him be for the most part when he was sick-which was more than fine with him.
In fact he preferred it. When he wasn't well, he preferred to be left alone until he was himself again. There was no sense in involving others in his misery.
Yes, Julia had tended to his various injuries before, but not as Mrs. Murdoch-and propriety had dictated that she not spend that much time in his room, and thus, her visits had been brief.
Propriety wasn't a problem now.
In fact, it would be the opposite to request another room at the hotel for himself, wouldn't it? He didn't see Julia taking it well anyway. Perhaps the Inspector hadn't notified Julia of his injury-or even his imminent return. Perhaps he could get back to the hotel and enjoy several hours of rest and respite before she returned home from the asylum. If any man understood not being fussed over, it would be the Inspector.
However, as the train pulled into the station, William's hopes that Julia hadn't been notified about his wound were dashed, as he saw her, worry etched across her pretty face, lips pursed tightly and standing far too close to the edge of the platform, doctor's bag in hand, ready to catapult herself on the train.
As the other passengers disembarked, William half-entertained thought about making a break from one of the rear doors, and seeking sanctuary at the station. Down in the cells, perhaps. They would be mostly quiet at this time of day.
Just as he was deciding whether or not he could evade capture, he heard her coming down the aisle towards him, calling his name.
"William! Oh, God!" she called out, her voice an odd combination of concern and relief.
Caught. He hid his grimace with a smile that passed for a pained expression as she ran up to him and embraced him, feeling the worry escape her body at reassurance he was alive. He felt guilty for his thoughts and relaxed as he smelled her jasmine and lavender fragrance. He'd forgotten how her mere presence calmed him, and perhaps it would be quite pleasurable to be fussed over by Mrs. Murdoch as opposed to Dr. Ogden. Being the center of her attentions with no one else to distract them had a distinct air of promise.
That is, until Mrs. Murdoch reverted to Dr. Ogden who immediately took charge, and ordering a porter to grab his things, they bid adieu to George, with her supporting his arm at the elbow-something he was more than capable of doing himself and disembarked from the train.
Stopping to speak with the Inspector who was also waiting for their return on the platform, William desperately tried to telegraph a call for help with his eyebrows to the older man.
"Sir, I know paperwork must be filled out. I can do that at once, sir. Let's return to the station-I'm sure Julia has important work at the asylum she needs to be working on." William breathlessly mentioned to the Inspector, hoping he'd read the urgent message between the lines!
Please don't leave me alone with my wife, sir!
"Absolutely not. You need plenty of bed rest, and we must begin to work on that shoulder as soon as possible if you're to regain full use of it. I must insist on at least one week's leave from work, Inspector," Julia interrupted.
"Then at least a week you shall have, Detective. Doctor, I trust you'll see to all aspects of his care- we won't need to send anyone else around, I assume?" the Inspector asked.
"Rest assured, William shall have my full attention-I've already arranged for leave from the asylum. I'll be there to care for him at all times." Julia assured him.
"Well, then, it's settled. See you in one week, Murdoch," Brackenreid finished.
Julia glared at Brackenreid.
"If not later, Murdoch!" he amended, catching her glare.
"But, sir," William began as Julia dragged him off.
"Get well soon, me old mucker!" said Brackenreid jovially.
William just stared at the man, eyes pleading. Keeping pace with the determined doctor who would not be deterred from keeping William from a thorough examination complete with many, many shots to ward off infection, Brackenreid whispered in William's ear.
"Frankly, Murdoch, your wife scares me far more than you ever could. Sorry, me old mucker."
It was nearly impossible for Thomas Brackenreid not to laugh at the expression of helplessness on his detective's face.