A/N: welcome all to my new fic. This is a sequel story to 'When I See You Smile'. It takes place roughly five years after the first story ends/will end. I understand this is starting before I finish WISYS so bear with me. I won't confuse you too much. I had this idea 2 months ago and just had to start writing. I hope you all like it, and tell me what you think in the reviews, they make my day.
It was Tuesday, towards the end of the work day, and Jeff couldn't concentrate on the drafts sitting on his sketch board. He had a nagging ache on his mind, and only one person who could help. Begrudgingly, Jeff packed up his binder and grabbed his coat. Feeling deflated, he called it a day and took the elevator down to the ground level of the high rise building his office was located in.
He hailed a cab, and gave the directions to his new destination in downtown Minneapolis. His hands became more and more twitchy and his leg bounced faster the closer the building became. He had no choice in the matter, and he knew he needed help. When he strode inside the quiet entrance he took a quick glance at the directory. Jeff was headed for the fifth floor, as the sign read:
Nick Duval D.D.S
Emma Redford D.D.S.
Thad Hardwood D.D.S.
He sighed nervously and stepped inside the elevator.
…
That's how Jeff found himself in his current predicament. He was sitting in the waiting room of Nick's office, wringing his hands in concern. He looked at the clock on the far wall near the fish tank. It read 3:45. He knew Nick had no patients after 4 o'clock. Now it was just a matter of waiting till he could see his husband. Jeff held his head between his hands and massaged his temples. His upper jaw was killing him and he had no idea why.
He looked up when he heard the door open and met Thad's surprised face. "Jeff? What are you doing here?"
"I'm uh… here to see Nick" Jeff stuttered.
"Oh, well he's just finishing up with paperwork from his last appointment today; you want me to go tell him you're here?" Thad offered. Jeff thought for a moment. Up until now he had been debating just getting up and leaving before Nick saw him. He just sat and stared at Thad wordlessly for a few moments. Before he could protest, Thad went back into the office and Jeff heard muffled chatter from behind the door.
He stood and began edging his way towards the front door when suddenly Nick came out into the waiting room to greet his husband.
"Hey baby, Thad told me you came to see me, what's up?" Nick smiled.
Jeff stared at Nick and mumbled something unintelligently.
"Sorry Jeff, I didn't catch that" Nick spoke concernedly.
Jeff fidgeted with the hem of his jacket. "My, um, my teeth hurt a little" he admitted. Nick smiled warmly. "Well you're certainly living up to your Gryffindor wristband today. Come on back and I'll see what's going on."
"N-no, Nick I changed my mind, I just- can't" Jeff stuttered.
Nick moved around Jeff to stand in front of the exit. "Sure you can Jeff, you've done this before, and you can do it now."
Jeff shook his head quickly and backed up a few steps. Nick approached him and took his hands in his. "I'm really proud of you for telling me the truth jeffy. If it would make it easier I can tell Emma and Thad to head home for the day."
Jeff nodded his head and averted his eyes from Nick. The two walked back together, Jeff trailing behind. Emma and Thad were having coffee in the back office when Nick and Jeff wandered in. Nick whispered quietly to Emma and the two associates gathered their things and said their goodbyes for the day.
"There, now it's just us. Can you follow me this way babe?"
Jeff felt his anxiety flare up in his chest and his stomach turn in knots. Nick strode into the exam room and turned to the drawers to find his supplies. Jeff grew anxious wondering what he was doing.
"Sit down Jeff, I want to see what's bothering you" Nick asked nicely.
Jeff nodded stiffly and sat down as Nick told him to. Nick turned on the light above Jeff's chair and rolled closer to his husband. "Jeff, I'm just going to look right now alright?"
Jeff shook his head as Nick reclined his chair.
"Yes Jeff, I need to see what's wrong babe. You came to me because you wanted my help right?" Nick pressed.
A few tears escaped Jeff's eyes as Nick spoke to him. "Yeah, I know, but I'm just afraid of what you're going to have to do."
"Well why don't we find out what's wrong before we jump to any rash conclusions ok?" Nick murmured.
Jeff wasn't convinced and despite Nick persuasions refused to cooperate. "Jeffrey Sterling, do you want to live in pain or do you want to let me help you" Nick sighed as his husband stared wide eyed up at him. Jeff's face was pale and he looked like he was ready to flee. "You don't need to be afraid of me babe, I'm not going to hurt you. I just need to see what we're looking at."
"It's not you Nick, I just feel really vulnerable and trapped" Jeff argued.
"I understand that Jeff, but honestly there's nothing for you to fear. So can you please, please trust me for five minutes?" Nick begged.
Jeff nodded sadly as he closed his eyes and opened his mouth while Nick began to look around with his mirror.
"Everything looks normal Jeff, it's not a cavity from what I can see… hang on, do you still have your wisdom teeth Jeff?" Nick asked surprised.
"Only two of them" Jeff replied with his mouth still open. "They never needed to come out."
"Well, they are causing damage now. They'll have to come out soon" Nick confirmed.
Jeff was becoming distressed now. He didn't want to be here anymore. He decided to get up and Nick didn't stop him. He just remained seated and turned towards Jeff.
"Look, I know this is hard, but I can do the surgery-"
"d-don't say that, it freaks me out" Jeff spat.
"Alright" Nick continued again "I can take care of the problem here. We have the right equipment."
Jeff huddled in on himself and began sobbing quietly. Nick came up behind him and hugged him gently. He rubbed soothing circles on Jeff's back till he calmed himself down a bit, and then Nick turned back to his computer.
"We can take care of this next Friday. That way I can take off the weekend and you don't have to work while you recover" Nick assured.
What he didn't know however, was Jeff had already gone through this situation before, and he couldn't bear to do it again. Despite this fact, Jeff nodded his head in agreement and let Nick clean up his workspace before following him out of the office.
"Did you take a cab here Jeff? I can drive us home, though I did take the bike today." He knew it wasn't Jeff's favorite mode of transportation.
"That's fine Nick, I don't mind" Jeff said in a small distracted voice. He couldn't focus on anything else for the rest of the afternoon.
