Taking in the smells of the E.D. Jay realised he would know that he was in this place even if he was blindfolded. The sharp acid smell of disinfectant left a tang ion the back of his throat. Lifting his hand he scratched his head blearily taking in the familiar hospital surroundings. He hadn't had much sleep last night, just stayed up drinking and watching some television programme that he thought was somehow related to beavers trying to distract himself form the words etched across his mind.
"Unreliable...useless..."
And it wasn't as if the words were particularly harsh, he'd endured much worse from his times out on the Razz, but coming from her... Her eyes had seemed so cold when she'd said it, as if they were full of hate. That was what hurt the most. And the fact that he knew in his heart that he loved her, really loved her, more than anyone in his life. Well apart from his Nan, but that was a different type of love. He ached to see her again, to hold her and tell her that he didn't care. But the truth was, he did.
Looking across the crowded E.D. Ruth saw Jay gazing into the distance. His eyes were deep in thought. Ruth had been watching him the past few days, watching as he carefully avoided her and when he had to speak to her, he was courteous and polite. It wasn't him. Ruth bit her lip as she remembered the cruel words she'd shouted at him.
"Useless... Unreliable..."
It wasn't true. Well, he might not be on time for work but that was beside the point. He wasn't useless. She'd always hated that word. It was the exact same word her father had yelled at her during his drunken rages. She hadn't meant to say it. She was caught up in the moment, caught up in the pain.
"Ruth! Ruth we need you in here!" snapping out of her daydream she looked up. Jess was calling to her. Grabbing her stethoscope she ran into recess.
"What have we got?"
As she glanced around she saw Jay tending to the drip. She caught his eye but he shifted his gaze, determinedly not looking at her. Tearing her eyes away she began to assess the patient.
"This is Michael Morgan, 24. He was found at the side of the road. Hasn't said how he got there or how he got his injuries. Dislocated shoulder, suspected fractured wrist and severe lacerations to his upper arms, torso and face. Possible glass cuts to his face as well."
"Right" Ruth's mask of detached professionalism came down.
"My name is Dr. Winters, how did you receive these injuries?"
"It was them... They... They want me! B...But I won't let them! I won't!"
"Its okay, Michael. Who wants you?" Jess asked her voice full of concern.
"The voices. They won't leave me alone. They won't stop till they have me!"
"Its okay, your safe here" Jess shared an anxious glance with Ruth.
"Right Mr. Morgan, I'll need to take a look at your cuts" she tried to tilt his head to one side.
"No! No... Get of me! Don't touch me!" Michael lunged out.
"Whoah! Calm down!" Ruth said, "I just need a look at your face..."
Michael was struggling, he had two nurses trying and failing to hold him down.
"Michael, Michael, please" Ruth pleaded. She desperately glanced at Jay and looked him briefly in the eye, only for a second. And so, she didn't see the punch that knocked her out cold.
