(Hi guys! thank you all so much for the reviews and responses I got on the previous chapter. Means a lot :) I'm sorry this one took a little longer than usual to get up. I've been busy. Hope you'll like it though. Enjoy!)

Enjolras lay awake the rest of the night. He tried to sleep; he really did. He was tired enough; he was exhausted, but that wasn't the point. It was hard to explain but every time he closed his eyes, he flashed back to moments in his life he had done his very best to forget. Moments that normally didn't bother him as much, but right now, in the hospital, all alone, he couldn't help it. He almost felt like that lost ten year old, only trying to do the same thing his mother did so often.

And no matter what he told himself, he just couldn't shake that feeling of extreme loneliness and abandonment that so suddenly came over him. His eyes darted over towards the clock on the wall every 15 minutes or so and he was unconsciously counting the hours until he was allowed to have visitors again.

This was now the third night in a row. The third night that he had such difficulty falling asleep. Ever since he wasn't allowed to have company 24/7, he was starting to feel more and more miserable. And not only mentally, but physically as well. Whenever he was alone, the pain seemed to get worse again and he just overall didn't feel good. He really wanted to go home.

Late evening faded into night and night faded into early morning. By the time the nurse came to bring him his breakfast at 07.30, Enjolras still hadn't slept more than those few little hours after Combeferre left. The nurse eyed him warily for a moment and frowned concernedly. Apparently he didn't only feel well; he didn't look it either. Enjolras tried his best to wave her off when she asked him if he was doing okay, but she still didn't seem convinced by the time she left him alone again.

Enjolras sighed deeply and pushed the breakfast away. He wasn't really hungry and just looking at it made him feel sick. His eyes travelled towards the clock yet again. Another three hours until visiting hour started. And another four hours until he would be alone again and counting the minutes until he was allowed to see his afternoon visitors. Enjolras closed his eyes in quiet desperation. He normally liked to have time to himself. That way he could get things done. But not here. He truly hated to be alone in here. He hated it so much that even something as seeing or talking to a nurse made him feel momentarily better.

That was why Enjolras was actually relieved to see Doctor Richieu enter his room an hour later. His doctor was nice enough; a little strict, but understanding and he clearly strived towards making his patients as comfortable as possible. Sometimes he reminded Enjolras a little bit of Combeferre.

"Good morning, Julien, how are you feeling today?", Richieu asked him while he took Enjolras' chart in hand and read the last notes one of the nurses had written in there. "You look tired."

Enjolras offered his doctor a fake smile and shrugged. "I feel quite alright, actually doctor. The pain is manageable; nearly gone. I feel better every day." He tried to bring it as convincing as possible, but the lie already sounded poor and weak to his own ears.

"Hmm", was all Richieu said as he wrote something on the chart. Then he looked up and stretched out his hand to feel Enjolras' forehead. "Definitely higher than the 37.8 in here", he mumbled to himself and he reached for the thermometer. He chuckled lightly at the dissatisfied sigh Enjolras let out when the tip of the thermometer was placed in his ear.

"Look at that, you've reached 38,9", Richieu said thoughtfully and he gave his patient a stern look. "How did you sleep last night?"

Enjolras shrugged his shoulders again and unconsciously bit the inside of his cheek. Somehow this conversation was starting to make him feel nervous.

Richieu kept looking at him; eyebrows slightly raised; patiently waiting for an answer.

"Could have been better", Enjolras muttered quietly, but he refused to meet his doctor's eyes as he said so.

"Hmm", Richieu said again with a small smile this time, "Well, judging by those dark circles under your eyes and the fact that you tend to play down everything that's related to your health, I'm going to assume you hardly slept at all. Why didn't you ask for something to help you sleep?"

Another shrug. "I didn't think it was necessary..."

Now it was Richieu's turn to sigh. Enjolras was without a doubt the most difficult patient he had ever treated. The young man was determined to go home as soon as possible but he was too stubborn to actually allow himself the time to rest and heal which caused his road to recovery to only grow longer instead of shorter. He was making things unnecessarily difficult for himself.

Richieu put the chart back and pulled up a chair next to Enjolras' bed. "I've spoken to your friend last night", he began in a serious, professional voice. "As your doctor, you must know that I am aware of your medical history..." He paused for a few seconds to give Enjolras the chance to fully realize the extent of his knowledge. "But I knew only those things that I could find in your personal files; your friend has filled in some of the blanks for me yesterday...some details on how you feel generally about hospitals."

Enjolras was staring intently to his sheets. He had no idea how to respond to this. Did Richieu expect him to say something? And why did he suddenly bring it up? Wasn't it his own business? Why had Combeferre talked to the doctor in the first place? He didn't even talk about his history to Combeferre, so why would they now expect him to speak up to this total stranger? Enjolras swallowed nervously and briefly glanced up at Richieu.

"I'd like you to tell me exactly how staying here makes you feel", Richieu continued, ignoring the panicked expression he saw flashing in Enjolras' eyes. "What it does to you..."

"Why?", Enjolras suddenly interrupted; there was no anger in his voice, but there was genuine confusion. "Didn't you just say you spoke to Combeferre? I assume he has told you exactly how I feel..."

"Maybe", Richieu nodded, "But I'd like to hear it from you personally. And I'd appreciate it if you could be completely honest with me. No downplaying."

Enjolras still looked confused. "Why?", he asked again. His doctor wasn't a psychologist or a therapist...why would he want to know about this?

"Because I'd like to know all the details before I make a decision on your stay here. And I can't do that without hearing about the personal feelings and experiences of the patient himself", Richieu explained in a calm voice.

Enjolras frowned. His heart was racing; a decision about his stay here? What does that mean? "C-can I...are you going to let me go home?", he whispered hopefully.

Richieu kept a straight face; he wasn't giving anything away. "Let's hear what you have to say first, Julien."

Enjolras swallowed again; suddenly at a loss for words. He opened his mouth a few times only to close it again. He wasn't good at this. He almost never talked about his feelings, not even to Combeferre. And now he was supposed to open up to someone he didn't even know?

Richieu stayed silent as well. He was just watching his patient with a kind and calm expression on his face; not there to push Enjolras into talking, but willing to give him all the time and space he needed.

Enjolras bit his lip and took a deep breath through his nose. "I...It's hard to explain", he muttered shakily, "I just don't feel good...I can't get any rest, b-because every time I close my eyes, I...It's like I'm thrown back in the past and no matter what I do I can't seem to put it out of my mind. I'm restless, I'm nervous...I feel s-scared and...and lonely and I know that it doesn't make any sense; b-but it's just how I feel. And I've been having nightmares and flashbacks and everything has gotten so much worse ever since my friends are restricted to visiting hours...I don't know why, but I'm constantly on edge; And I...I don't know what else you want to hear, I'm just miserable here and a complete different person than I usually am. It's like I'm back to being this confused and messed up ten year old and it's so frustrating because I really don't want to be like this; it's embarrassing, but I don't...I can't help it..."

Enjolras was babbling; he knew he was. His words came out jumbled and fast; he felt like he didn't make any sense, but as soon as he started talking, it was hard to stop. He felt humiliated, but when he looked up at Richieu he saw no judgement in his eyes. He still had the same kind and gentle expression on his face, now accompanied with an encouraging smile.

Doctor Richieu couldn't help but feel a little proud of his patient. It was obvious that Enjolras didn't do this often; didn't like to put himself out there like this and the fact that he was doing it now, to someone not much more than a stranger, showed to Richieu the honesty and the desperation behind those words. And even though he still didn't really like the idea, he had to agree with Combeferre that in this case it might be better for Enjolras to let him go home.

"Thank you", Richieu said friendly, "For telling me."

The young blond frowned again and fiddled with the hospital sheets. He still wasn't sure what was going on, all he knew was that it confused him a lot.

"I'm going to be honest with you, Julien. I'd rather keep you in here for a little longer, because your body has been through a lot and I do think it would be better for you physically if you stayed a few days more..."

Enjolras let out a defeated sigh and turned his head away from his doctor.

"But", Richieu continued, "after speaking with Combeferre last night and hearing you out just now, I'd like to make you a proposition. And I'm only making you this proposition because I know your roommate is nearly done with his medical training and therefore I know you'll be in good hands."

Enjolras looked up at that and doctor Richieu nearly laughed at the hope and anticipation he saw envisioned in his patient's eyes.

"I'm willing to release you from the hospital on the condition that you follow your friend's instructions without question. You're on complete bedrest for at least a full week, which means you either stay in bed or on a couch. You are coming back in here after one week for a check up and Combeferre will update me on your progress every other day. You'll be on different painkillers that can leave you drowsy and confused, but I am going to insist that you take them as well as your other medication," Richieu told him in a professional and serious voice. He wanted to make sure that Enjolras really knew that there was no messing around with this.

"Don't overdo it or be overconfident, because it will only get you back in here and I'm not going to allow this a second time. The only reason why I'm willing to let you go home is that I see that the mental state you're in is now starting to affect your physical state. You're not sleeping; your temperature is rising; you're in more pain. And because your friend is a very convincing speaker, I'm willing to give this a go. So please don't make me regret this."

Enjolras was struck speechless. Was he really allowed to go home? Was his doctor going to release him from the hospital? A small smile tugged at the corner of his lip. "I won't", he said quietly; his voice trembling ever so slightly.

Doctor Richieu nodded and gave him a stern look. "I'd also like to suggest for you to speak to someone about this whole thing. Someone who's specialized. I know I cannot force you to do that, but I think it could be very helpful. Your friend agrees with me there."

Enjolras furrowed his eyebrows at that. A psychologist? Really? For something that happened so long ago? That almost never bothered him except for these very specific situations? He didn't know if he wanted to do that. He wasn't a child, he should be able to handle this himself. But you're not though, a little voice inside his head said.

"You don't have to decide on it right this second, Julien. Think about it; talk about it with your friends and then make a decision", Richieu stated while he pushed himself up from the chair. "I have to go make my round...I want to give you a final check up this afternoon...after that we'll sign your release papers and you can go home."

Now that the words were definitely out in the open; plain for everyone to hear, Enjolras couldn't help but grin happily. He still could hardly believe that this was really happening; that he could go home. Just knowing it already made him feel so much better.

"Thank you", he whispered shakily as he watched his doctor walk towards the door.

"Don't thank me...thank your friend's steadfastness. He and I are on the same page though, concerning your health. I'm sure he has a speech prepared for you as well", Richieu said smiling and he almost stepped outside but turned around for another second. "You're not going anywhere however before you've finished that breakfast."

And then he was gone, leaving Enjolras alone again, but this time the young blond felt significantly better. Letting out a deep sigh, but with a smile on his face, Enjolras pulled the tray with food in front of him and he slowly started to eat. Only an hour until visitation. And he couldn't wait tell his friends the good news.

TBC.

(This was kind of a filler, hope you all don't mind so much. I promise the next chapter won't take as long and I swear the Amis will be back again. Please review and let me know what you think? Thanks!)