AN: Not a medical professional so if Seth's exam seems to rushed, I'm working from the mindset that he could tell pretty quickly if there were any real physical symptoms vs. emotional ones from the frame of reference that while I am not a doctor, I have worked around them for a number of years and have witnessed they're generally pretty quick to hone in on whether someone is truly in medical vs. emotional distress. Reviews greatly appreciated as always.

Meanwhile

"Sit down, loosen your collar, I'll check your pulse and take your temperature," Seth said without preamble, having already switched into a professional role as he followed Grady into the guest bedroom and started opening his medical bag.

"No, that's ok, I really just want to lay down…." Grady started to protest before a thermometer was shoved unceremoniously into his mouth even as he felt the older man take his wrist to feel his pulse.

"Keep that under your tongue." Seth said in his usual doctor tone, Grady meekly obeyed and it was only a few moments later that Seth was stuffing his instruments back into the bag and studied the young man.

"Your pulse is a little fast, but everything seems normal. How are you feeling?" Seth's tone didn't leave much room for argument.

"I'm just tired," Grady answered vaguely, "I just feel like I need to rest." He kept trying to convince Seth to end the current examination process, wanting him to leave before he said something that might embarrass them both. Seth paused studying him carefully.

"Is there something troubling you?" Seth finally asked, recognizing that the young man's issues may be more emotional than physical in nature

"Well…" Grady considered, not able to pass up the opportunity to get some more information. "I was wondering, is it normal, when people reach a certain age, to ummm well, as a couple, you know…" Grady stopped suddenly feeling like this had been a very bad idea, the words coming out of his mouth not sounding the same way he had imagined them in his head.

Jumping to the obvious, yet incorrect conclusion, Seth recognized the behavior as one he had encountered many a time in his office and went into his usual man to man doctor mode while also maintaining a clinical detachment and began a well-practiced monologue.

"Don't worry Grady, erectile dysfunction is nothing to be ashamed of. It can happen to all men at some time or another regardless of age, sometimes it's temporary, brought on by stress but if there's a medical reason, with treatment a man can certainly remain active well into his 70's if not longer. If he keeps his health, manages stress, eats healthy. I can give you some literature on it, or you can follow up with your regular physician at home. I can give you a prescription for a few pills if you and Donna are having problems now." Seth finished, surprised that instead of looking relieved Grady was looking even more uncomfortable so he decided to continue with his reassurances. "You and Donna should have another 50 years or more to enjoy your marital relationship. At a certain age you might decide to start dimming the lights a little, or not, that's up to you, or Donna may prefer it that way." Seth laughed having generally experienced that his candor with a touch of humor helped relax young men with this issue but Grady didn't look very happy. Seth waited to see if there were any questions forthcoming and let the silence stretch out as he assumed Grady was absorbing all the information.

"So I'll be able to… and Donna will also? Into our 70's?" Grady mumbled his thoughts in a way that Seth had a hard time understanding why the man was so preoccupied with something that far into the future, but decided to answer the implied question as reassuringly as possible.

"Barring any medical issues, which she should be able to see her own provider for there's no reason she shouldn't be active. There are variables of course but there are many active women still enjoying a healthy sex life well past their 60's and into their 70's and some even into their 80's. There are some ways to make it more comfortable if needed due to some of the changes that come with age, but you and Donna won't need to worry about that for decades. Seth said, feeling he had told Grady everything he needed to know and probably then some to hopefully allay whatever fears the young man may be having with the intimate aspects of his marriage.

"Th… th…thank you" Grady stuttered, the only phrase in his mind being "into their 70's, ways to make it more comfortable and the mention of pills," with the unbidden thought that Doctor Hazlitt would be quite knowledgeable on all these topics. He also couldn't help wondering if he had imagined that the comment about dimming the lights might have been a more personal note. He laid back clutching the pillow, trying to make sense of the thoughts racing around in his head.