"I am picking up the X-ray now, you can go back to the exam room again. I will be there in a minute.", Nick left to get the X-ray.
Jeff got more nervous with every minute. More than Nick initially thought. It must have been bad. Nick would not tell him something like that if there was any real chance for this to be ending painless. It would hurt like hell. Jeff could not stand any more pain.
He stood there for a few seconds, then the idea came. This would be Jeff's only chance to get out of this. If he left now he would not be forced to continue this. He walked straight up to the office door, opened it silently and ran. He ran down the staircase and out of the building. The area was known to him. Every time he picked his husband off work he had been spending time around so he could avoid the office and Nick noticing any hint of his phobia.
He ran faster than ever, knowing where to hide. The park was not very close and he was keen on Nick not being aware of his knowledge of the area. He would not be searching for him there.
A small café was to find in it and there he could get away form the cold.
His race brought him there fast and he sat down ordering a glass of water. This was not good. Even if he was not to be found by Nick, he would never be able to hide forever. Somewhere, in the near future, he would be in the need to go back. If he hid at one of his friends places Nick would find him in no time and his family would be an even worse place to be hiding. Everyone would just be asking about the incident leading to it and Nick would be contacted about a minute after Jeff arriving.
He took a sip of the water and that brought back the, for the moment, even more important problem.
The fear had overshadowed the pain in his mouth, but it was brought back even worse.
Jeff had no idea what he was supposed to do. There was no pharmacy in the opposite direction of the office and he had no painkillers with him. Trying not to think of the pain drew it even more into his mind. He felt like screaming and the only thing he really wanted to do was fall asleep right at the table.
He did not even notice that he was crying again before a hand lay down on his shoulder.
Thinking it was Nick Jeff turned around. "I am sorry... but... but I am not... not able...", he sobbed. He could not see threw the curtain of tears but he new that it was not his husband when a familiar, female voice started talking.
"Jeff? What are you sorry for? Gosh, what happened to you? You look awfully..." It was Nora.
Trying his best, Jeff was able to stop the flush of his tears. "You should not see me like that... I... I thought you were Nick."
"Then why do you apologise to him? What are you not able to do?" She paused, waiting for a reply. When there was non coming she continued. "I am great at keeping secrets, you know." She grinned. A contagious grin, Jeff just could not not mirror it. Somehow this made him feel a little less distressed.
"It is nothing, really... I just cannot see him right now. He wants me to do something I just can't..." She put on a look of inquiry. After a while of waiting she just could not stop herself from saying what she thought. "Jeff... I think you need to talk to him. Talking is always the best solution, believe me. It will not help if you keep not talking to him. You will eventually do so and it just gets harder with every moment passing, you know?"
She was right. Jeff knew it and he kind of wanted to follow her advise. But he just did not feel like he could do it. Then he saw Nick. He stood on the outside of the café, glancing prospective inside. Jeff tried to hide behind Nora but it was to late. He caught Nicks concerned look and saw him opening the door.
Not quite sure if I like this chapter... But I hope you do so! I just thought we should have another jump in perspective.