Disclaimer – I don't own Castle
Hospital – 06:11 - Private Room
As the nurse entered the room, the first thing she saw was one of her patients and her husband - the famous novelist, cuddling. It was the cutest thing. Well they weren't exactly cuddling since the detective had a GSW to the chest, but her patient was lying on her back and her husband was on his side facing her, their fingers laced. The writer was basically lying on her bed, the two were very close indeed. Nurse Holly had seen a lot of patients and their families come in and out of this hospital in her last twenty years of working here but she only see's a rare few that she could count on two hands that show the kind of bond this couple showed. Not many husbands would stick by their wives beside twenty-four, seven. Yes a rare sight indeed.
Kate eyes began to flutter before opening the moment she felt an unknown hand touch her stomach, out of reaction, she grabbed whoever had their hand on her with her left hand because her right one was occupied and the detective's eyes shot open to a slightly scared older nurse to who looked late forties, plump looking lady. It took Kate a moment to remember where she was and what had happen.
The nurse whispered. "Oh sorry, Mrs Castle. I didn't mean to wake you. I just have to check your bandages," the nurse indicated to her wound, Kate had changed into an oversize shirt of Rick's before she went to bed because her's might be too tight at the moment. Rick had helped her put the shirt on, she then removed the gown since she wasn't wearing a bra at the moment.
'Mrs Castle? Oh Right, we're married' Kate thought.
The nurse had pushed Rick's shirt up just under her boobs, and with a nod of Kate's head, the nurse began removing the bandage. The detective tried not to look down at it, not wanting to move much and not wanting to wake Rick since he hadn't gotten much sleep in the last five days that she had been here.
As the nurse removed the bandage, attended to the wound and replaced it with a fresh one, the brunette turned her head to her right, to where the man beside her was sleeping. They were very close indeed, their faces inches apart. A smile tugged at her lips at the innocence that was on his face when he slept, like a child.
"It's rare you know," Nurse Holly began. Kate turned her head at the darked haired nurse, and unsure what she was talking about. The older nurse divulged. "True love, it's rare these days to be in the presences of two people who truly love one another, you can tell what you two share just by being in the same room," the nurse smiled at her.
Kate had gone quiet and slightly red but that didn't stop the older women from continuing. "Over the last five days that I have got to know your husband, he has amazed me. The dedication that he has had to you is outstanding, most of the patients that pass in and out of here haven't been as blessed to have their other half sit by their bedside twenty-four, seven like Mr Castle has with you. You're one lucky woman."
Kate couldn't help but smile at the older women's words, as she thought about it. She could see what the older woman meant. Rick had always been there for her, even at times when she didn't really want him there. The nine year old on a sugar rush grew on her, held a piece of her heart that she though didn't exist.
Kate turned her head back towards her partners and whispers, honestly. "Yeah I am, Rick sure is one of the kind and even though I would never admit it to his face. I wouldn't change one thing about him," the detective quietly admitted.
Kate turned her attention back to the nurse who was smiling at teary smile at her, Kate realize that she told a complete stranger how she felt about the author, bitting down on her bottom lip, she then remember that this nurse thinks that they're married, which was kinda reassuring because if the nurse knew the truth then that would be embarrassing. Kate was a private person, not one to share her feelings out loud to anyone, even at times she found it hard to 'give details' to her best friend, it is just who she is. Kate believes 'what happens between two people ... should remain between those two people' that's just how the detective felt.
"You know what I believe," Holly spoke up.
"What?" Kate asked, curiously.
The nurse smiled and informed her. "You're each other's other half. Some call it fate, some call it soul mates. Some call everlasting love. I call it two hearts beating as one and that my dear detective is what I see when I look at you two."
Before Kate could even process what the nurse just delivered, she was gone from the room, and Kate was stunned at first, since she didn't have her mother around to talk to about this stuff growing into adulthood, she hadn't been sure if she would know what it looked like when it appeared in front of her. Kate remember once telling Rick 'I'm a one and done kinda girl'. But would she see her 'one and done' if he was right in front of her? Everyone else seemed to see it and tell her, why couldn't she?
The brunette turned her head back towards Rick and smiled, bitting her bottom lip so she wouldn't do anything stupid like kiss him, maybe it was the pain meds missing with her head on top of his confession of his love for her when she was slipping away from him. Kate knew that she would have to deal with it sooner or later, for now, she chose later. Kate knew in a few hours she would have a lot of visitors so sleep was needed.
The song changed and new music filled the room.
"If you love somebody, you better let it out. Don't hold it back, while you're trying to figure it out. Don't be timid. Don't be afraid to hurt. Run toward the flame, Run toward the fire, Hold on for all your worth, Cause the only real pain a heart can ever know, is the sorrow of regret, When you don't let your feelings show."
Kate sheaded a tear listening to the sweet voice of Jewel, believing that each song told a story, you just have to close your eyes and be willing to listen to what it has to say. So Kate moved over closer to the writer, placing her head near his chest since he was lying on his side. She remained laying on her back because of her injury, listening to his steady heartbeat, their fingers still laced, closing her eyes.
"So did you say it? Did you mean it? Did you lay it on the line? Did you make it count? Did you look 'em in the eye? Did they feel it? Did you say it in time? Did you say it out loud 'cause if you did hun, then you lived some. That feeling inside, that's called satisfied..."
Rick waited until Kate's breathing was even and he was certain that she was asleep before he opened his eyes with a Hugh grin plastered on his face. The romantic at heart had to remember to send a Hugh thank you basket to nurse holly when he got Kate home. Rick knew Kate was a private person and to admit that, that meant something major, even if she was playing the part as his wife, the honesty was evident in her voice. Rick closed his eyes and let sleep overtake him, gently throwing his spare arm over her stomach.
Hospital Corridor - 07:31
Alexis was walking down the corridor of the hospital, carrying a paper bag filled with contents in one hand and a warm travel mug in the other, taking her father's car services this morning to the hospital after receiving her father's call last night that Kate had woken up. The teen had literally jumped and down with happiness, her grandmother had to actually shout at her kindly to stop, even though she told her father she would be by after eight, but the redhead had been up since five.
"Excuse me Miss," a female voice called, the red head slowly turned around and looked at the young nurse who looked about ten years older than herself asked. "Where are you going miss?" the nurse finished.
Alexis wasn't a rude person, respected rules but at the moment, she just wanted to hug her father and see Kate, smiling politely at the petite nurse, she informed her slightly stretching the truth. "To see my mom, she is finally awake," Alexis turned and continued on down the corridor, a beaming smile on her face. Who knows, maybe one day Kate will be her mother, well Alexis hopped anyway.
07:35 – Private Room
As the teen pushed the door handle down with her elbow then pushed it open with her hip, entering the room it was quiet. The MP3 must have died, that was her first thought, Alexis turned her attention towards the bed and almost dropped the items in her hands, calmly she walked over towards the table that wheels over the bed and placed down the paper bag and hot beverage on it. She then pulled out her iPhone and snapped a picture of the sight before her, slightly squealing in her head, typing out a quick message to her grandmother before sending the photo off.
Alexis couldn't believe the sight before her; never in a million years did the teen ever think that she would see her father and Detective Beckett in such an intimate position. Her father was laying on his side facing the detective, Kate had her head nuzzled into his chest but was laying on her back, most likely because of her wound, they were holding hands and her father had his other arm draped across her stomach, their legs were practically touching and Kate was in her father's blue shirt.
As much as she wanted this moment to last forever, Alexis didn't want the stuff she bought getting cold. She also wanted to see Kate talk her way out of this one. She cleared her throat rather loudly, when that didn't work, Alexis just answered, casually.
"So do I start calling you mom?"
A moment later, Kate stirred. She felt so warm and comfortable, for a moment she had forgotten where she was, then hearing a familiar voice, Kate slowly opening her eyes and seeing a body, pulling her head back and seeing Rick's face, the detective smiled. The past events started hitting her, the shooting, the coma, Rick and her talking, the nurse and her talking. She was in hospital. Kate then remembered what woke her, a voice. Hearing a small chuckle coming from the left of the bed, Kate turned her gaze and saw Rick daughter standing there with a Hugh grin on her face.
"Morning Kate," the teen happily greeted.
The brunette was stunned. Alexis had walked in and discovered her and her father in an intimate position. Wait what were they doing in this position? When did Rick place his arm over her stomach? Why didn't she feel it? Kate knew she would have to answer the teen soon.
"Alexis, hey what are you doing here at-" Kate looked up at the clock answering surprised. "Seven thirty in the morning?" she finished.
Alexis smiled faded and sadness quickly filled her face. "Don't you want to see me?" the teen began to turn and walk off when Kate called after her. "Alexis, wait, I didn't mean it like that," she started.
Alexis looked at the detective confused.
Kate tried lifting Rick's arm off her's, but couldn't move it. It was like he was purposely applying pressure so she couldn't.
Kate gave up moving his arm and answered. "What I mean is how did you get in here so early?" Kate corrected.
Alexis blushed as she answered. "I told them that my mom is finally awake," the teen dropped her eyes to the ground.
Kate was stunned. When she was in her coma, Kate remembers hearing talking around her, they felt like dreams but now Kate wondered if they weren't. She remembered hearing Alexis say something about being like a mother to her and that warmed her heart. The detective never really saw herself as the mother type but was honoured that Alexis saw her as one. Kate felt misty eyed, noticing that the girl felt embarrassed.
"Alexis, come here?" Kate asked softly.
The redhead teen slowly began moving her feet towards Kate's side.
"Look at me, please?" the older woman asked.
The teen slowly raised her head, that's when Kate saw the tears in her beautiful crystal blue eyes. Kate reached for the girls hand with her left free hand, since Rick still held her right. She laced her fingers with the younger Castle, pulling the girl closer. "Hop up," she gesturing with the tugging of her head.
Alexis hopped up on the bed, her hand still in Kate's, sitting beside her. Kate smiled at the teen. "Alexis, I am not mad that you told them I am you're mother. I am honoured. You're an amazing person and to be thought of that way, honour doesn't even begin to cover it," the brunette reassured her. "Anytime you need someone to talk to, like I've told you before, I am here, day a night. Just a text or call away," Kate smiled at the girl, the teen now was smiling again as she leaned down and hugged Kate, being careful of her wound. Kate gave the girl a pat on the back with her now free hand.
"Aaaawww," slipped from the author's mouth from behind Kate. Both female eyes turned to Rick, who was pretending to still be asleep, even though he held her hand, the brunette still manage to elbow him in the chest with said arm.
Rick's eyes shot open. "Not cool, Kate." He whined, finally letting go of her hand. It was strange but she kinda missed it, the brunette felt safe when the novelist held it, which was stupid because Kate and never needed a man before to make her feel safe. Maybe it was these stupid pain meds.
"That's what you get for pretending to be asleep," the brunette informed him, trying to sound mad but a smile was tugging at her lips to be released.
Rick chuckled, shaking his head as he sat up and removed his other arm from over Kate's stomach. Sitting against the headboard, the father looked at his daughter and smiled. "Morning Pumpkin, didn't expect you this early."
"Obviously," the teen muttered, which earned a stunned look from both her father and the older woman, but neither said anything about it.
A moment of silence past before Kate smelled food, turning her attention towards the hospital table. "What's in the bag?" the brunette asked curious.
Alexis had almost forgotten, remember she turned towards the table and wheeled it over the bed. Kate moved over closer towards the table, putting a little distance between her and the novelist. Rick looking slightly disappointed.
The redhead was sitting on the opposite of 'her mom' a table between them, reaching into the bag and pulling out a Tupperware container. She placed it in front of Kate with a fork. The brunette raised a curious eyebrow and looked at her.
"I cannot believe you're actually doing this, that I made that," Alexis retorted, looking towards her father, turning to Kate. "Dad said you wanted to try this," the teen explained, lifting the blue lid from the containing. Inside was what looked like pancakes but the smelt different.
A smile tugged her lips as she answered. "Chinese flavoured pancakes," she felt like a kid at Christmas.
Alexis raised a concerned eyebrow.
"Try it," Rick urged.
Kate nodded. She was hungry. Picking up the fork, the brunette dug into the pancake, bringing it to her mouth and plopped it in, savouring it.
A long moment passed of complete silence, both Castle's had their eyes on her.
Kate looked at them and smiled. "Oh my god, this is one of the best things that I have ever put in my mouth."
Alexis answered stunned. "Taste buds must be off."
Rick was about to answer with a snide remark when Kate turned towards him, threatening. "Rick, if the next lot of words that come out of your mouth contain any form, suggestion or remark to anything dirty. You won't be walking for a week," staring his down, the author gulped.
Kate was suppressing a smile as she took another bite and let out a satisfying moan.
Rick couldn't hold back the chuckle, but kept his mouth shut. Just imagining if she moaned like that over food she liked, what was the savvy butt kicking detective was like in bed. He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard Kate ask, gesturing to the travel mug.
"That coffee?"
The teen shook her head with a smile.
Kate was disappointed. She could really go for a coffee.
Alexis informed her, placing the cup in front of her. "It's for you though. I don't think you should be drinking coffee at the moment. The last thing you need to do is have caffeine that keeps you awake," the teen instructed.
Kate thought it was cute and reached for the travel mug, bringing it towards her lips.
"I drink this when I am not feeling well and it makes me feel so much better, it's tea," she answered as Kate took a swig.
Sipping the hot beverage Kate was surprised how good it tasted. She wasn't really a tea drinker but something about this one. She tasted something different, raising an eyebrow at the teen.
"With mint flavoured drinking chocolate," Alexis proudly announced.
Kate nodded, it tasted amazing. She was tempted to taste her coffee like this, taking another sip and closing her eyes, the brunette felt like part of the family. Kate heard a noise, so opening her eyes she noticed that the teen had pulled more from the bag, handing her father a fork and container. Alexis placed one in front of herself and fork in hand. This was a family breakfast and Kate kinda loved it.
They all ate in a comfortable silence for a few minutes before the writer looked at Kate, seeing her smile and couldn't help but grin himself asking. "So what do you think?"
Both Castle's waiting for her response.
"It's perfect, thank you Lex," Kate answered.
Alexis beamed with happiness. Kate had avoided the entire family concept since her mother died, she had buried herself in her mother's case and didn't know different. But Kate could get use to.
07:51
After they had finished their breakfast and talked about Alexis, the teen was filling Kate in on school and Stanford. Kate could tell that Rick was uncomfortable about his little girl leaving for Uni early and with her serious boyfriend. She was a little concerned about it herself, but it wasn't her place to intervene.
Kate pushed the table away from the bed and looked towards the female teen.
"Um Lex, I was wondering if you could ..." she began.
"Help you to the bathroom, I guess you want to change before everyone gets here," Alexis answered.
Kate nodded, just like Rick. The younger Castle could read her mind also.
Alexis helped Kate from the bed.
For the first time since before the coma, the detective's feet hit the floor and she was a little nervous. Alexis was by her side, helping her stand and holding onto her as Kate took her first wobbly step away from the bed and smiled. Step by step the recently wounded detective made her way to the bathroom with the help of her favourite teen.
Alexis stopped at the door and asked the Kate. "Need help in there?" no shame or embarrassment in her voice.
Kate was a private person and was embarrassed though, biting her lip she answered. "I should be fine. I'll call if I need your help but thank you Lex," Kate finished.
The teen volunteered. "Anytime detective."
Kate entered the bathroom and closed the door behind herself.
Alexis skipped back over towards her father, who was cleaning up the mess.
The author waited until he heard the shower going before he walked over towards his daughter, who was cleaning up breakfast. "You took a photo right?" he asked, waiting for her response.
Alexis pretended to act shock. "And invade your privacy. Would I do that?"
Rick raised his eyebrow. "If you were a castle, you would." He answered, bluntly.
"Good thing I am a castle then," she grinned, reproducing her phone.
Rick pulled his daughter into a Castle hug. "That's my girl. Send me a copy, kay."
Alexis nodded.
09:03
The brunette was in a fresh pair of yoga pants and another one of Rick's shirts, since they were comfortable and kind of smelt like him. The three where laying on the beds, Alexis was in the middle, they were watching morning cartoons and had been since Kate left the bathroom fifty minutes ago. Alexis's hands both held Kate and her father's, the teen resting her head on the older woman's shoulder. The three were watching 'Bear in the big blue house' at the moment. Rick had even sung the starting song which got an eyebrow raise from the brunette.
He mumbled research.
Lanie, Javier, Kevin and Jenny enter the room without Kate and the Castle's noticing.
It wasn't until the Smart Alec Irish teased "Oh look, it's the Castle's," followed by a chuckle. As the two couple's walked towards the bed, Lanie was more like speed walking.
Kate began to sit up, causing the teen to do the same and let go of her hand just in time for Lanie to basically fly on the bed and into her arms.
"Ow," Kate let out a little gasp.
Lanie pulled back and wiping the tears from her eyes. "Girl, you gave us a scare. Don't do it again," Lanie ordered.
Kate tried humouring the situation. "Next time I get shot, I'll duck."
There were no laughs in the room.
The brunette felt bad. "Sorry," she mumbled.
Lanie hugged her best friend again, this time more careful. "We were so scared," she whispered, the dark haired women confessed.
Kate held back the tears. "So was I," her gaze looking over Lanie's shoulder towards her two other partners and Jenny.
Lanie pulled back and took the appearance of her best friend in. "Is that Castle's shirt?" she asked, a smile played at her lips, looking the brunette straight in the eyes.
Kate bit her bottom lip, defending. "It more comfortable than mine at the moment," she mumbled.
Lanie raised an eyebrow, turning her eyes on Rick. He gave her a shrug of the shoulders.
"Castle can I see you outside for a moment, NOW!" Lanie demanded as she crawled off the bed.
The older male felt like he was in trouble and been called to the principal's office, he bowed his head and hopped off the bed, following Lanie out of the room like puppy dog with tail between his legs.
Kate was curious to what that was about but got distracted when Kevin, Javier and Jenny all joined her bedside.
Hospital Corridor
As soon as Rick walked out of the door, he was confronted with the question. "You didn't tell her?"
He didn't even have to ask what Lanie meant, because he knew. Rick looked down at the ground. "She just got out of a coma and is still technically with Josh. I cannot tell her right now," he explained looking at her.
Lanie looked at him compassionately. His heart was in the right place, but she just wanted to see her best friend happy and the Castle's did that. Placing a hand on his shoulder and letting out a sigh, she answered. "Okay but if you don't tell her soon, I will," Lanie confirmed.
The writer nodded, a moment of silence past before Lanie asked. "So how did she go last night?" the concern evident in her voice.
Private Room – 09:07
"What do you mean they think we're married," Kate exclaimed as Rick and Lanie entered the room, all eyes turned to Rick.
"I hadn't told her that fun fact yet!" he explained to the room.
Kevin bowed his head.
Rick walked over towards his partner. "I can fix it. I haven't spoke to the press yet. I'll just tell them that it was a hospital mix up and that we went along with it so I can be by your side. I'll fix it," he assured her.
Kate let out a sigh and plopped back on her pillow, it didn't bother her that the hospital thought they were married but page six and the world was a different story. When Kate turned to Rick, she saw the hurt look on his face and she felt bad. He had moved heaven and earth for her and she just treated him harshly.
"I am sorry Castle, you've been great. I guess I am just still a little on edge," Kate apologized, locking her hazel greens onto his deep blues. A smile appeared on his face which caused Kate to smile.
The two unaware that the entire room were watching their moment with matching grins.
10:11
The two couples had left about twenty minutes ago. They all had work to get to. The boys had been very vague about what was happening at the station and that concerned the female detective.
Alexis had plugged the charger into the iPod and now had music playing.
Rick was in the shower while the two were talking.
Alexis was filling Kate in on what happened while she was in the coma, how her dad wouldn't leave her side for one second unless someone he trusted was in the room and the bathroom was as far as he went.
"Dad might act like a kid most of the time, but after you were shot and while you we're in the coma. Smiling was rare, to say the least," Alexis informed Kate. "He would snap at anyone who suggested that he leave the room for even a minute," the teen confirmed.
Kate looked at the young girl serious. She could see that Alexis was concerned about her father finding out that she was telling Kate this. Kate confined in the girl. "Your dad has a big heart, Lex..."
"That's not it, Kate. My dad loves you. He loves you and I think you know that but you're scared," the teen answered.
Kate dropped her eyes to the bed, bitting her bottom lip. The teenager was confessing her heart out and the Detective had no idea what to say.
"Why can't you tell my dad you love him," the redhead asked, hurt.
Kate began to open her mouth. "Lex, it's complicated," she began, raising her gaze to Alexis who was shaking her head and looked angry.
"I dislike it when adults say that, it's complicated is basically saying 'I don't want to talk about it' or 'I am too scared', well you know what us young ones says. It's not complicated until facebook says so," Alexis stated, crossing her arms.
Kate just looked at the teen for a long minute, before she bursted into laughter. It was the last comment that made her laugh.
Alexis looked at her surprised before joining her in laughter after realizing what she said. The two were laughing so hard that they didn't hear the door open or noticed when Martha and Jim walked in.
Both Jim and Martha had arrived at the hospital again, around the same time this morning. As the two older adults walked over towards the bed, it was the actress who asked, curious. "What is so funny kiddo's?"
Both Kate and Alexis turned their heads towards the two older adults.
Alexis exclaimed. "Gram's, and Mr Beckett" she finished.
Kate's father smiled at the bubble teen. "Didn't I tell you to call me Poppy, after all we are family now." Jim joked, glancing at Kate, his daughter's eyes widened and mouth dropped as everyone in the room laughed.
"I was joking, Katie. Gonna catch flies with your mouth open like that," her father finished as he walked over towards her bed.
Kate finally closed her mouth and smiled at her father.
Jim sat on the bed beside his daughter and enveloped her in a hug, whispering. "I am glad to have you back, baby bird."
Kate hugged her father tighter 'Baby Bird' was the nickname her mother given her, holding back the tears. She looked over her father's shoulder as the bathroom door opened and Rick walked out of the bathroom. He had changed into a pair of blue jeans and dark red v neck sweater, with a white shirt underneath. Which he wore well, he had even shaved.
Kate smiled at him. "Yeah me too," she finally answered her father. Her eyes locked with Rick's.
Martha had walked around the other side of the bed towards Alexis, passing her son who wasn't moving from his spot. She spotted Kate's eyes looking at her son and the look he was giving back, had something happened between the two. Martha had shared the photo she received from Alexis with Jim on the way up. He found it very sweet.
As Jim pulled back from his daughter's embraced, he noticed that her eyes were elsewhere, so following them he turned around and spotted his wife and daughter's favourite author, the older man smiled.
Rick finally tore his gaze from Kate and walked towards the beds, standing at the ends.
"Hey Jim, good to see you again," he greeted, acknowledging the older Beckett.
Jim hopped off the bed and walked over to the writer, patting him on the shoulder. "You two Rick." The two men were smiling at one another.
Kate was watching in awe, since when did her father and her partner become best friends. She had never seen her father take to any guy in her life so quick. They were acting like they had knowb one another for years, not days. She was confused, very confused and about to ask when the doctor and a different younger nurse entered. This nurse looked a lot like Jenny. This must be Jenny's sister that Rick was talking about.
The Doctor walked over towards the bed and towards his now awake patient. A smile donned his face. "Kate, it's good to see you awake and up, a lot of people have been worried, especially your husband'." The doctor informed her, turning towards Rick, then turning back to his patient, who looked like she was blushing.
"Yeah, Rick tends to worry over me on daily bases. I am use to it. I know it cares," Kate answered, avoiding eye contact with her partner but meant what she just said. Rick was the one that cared for her, always did. Her own friggin boyfriend wasn't even here and she had been in a coma. That made her angry.
"So when can I break out of here?" Kate asked, changing the subject.
The doctor was stunned and the nurse giggled. Beau could tell she wasn't kidding. He turned towards Rick and asked. "Is she always this determined?"
Not just Rick but all the heads in the room nodded.
It didn't faze Kate at all, she was a strong willed, determined yet a stubborn woman. It's what got her threw the job. It's what kept her alive. She stared the doctor down, waiting for an answer.
"You can leave here in a couple of days if you do not, I repeat do not any physical activity, including sex," the Doctor finally answered.
Kate bushed again and looked away, there was sniffled laughter coming from Martha and Jim. Alexis just dropped her jaw.
"Doc, our daughter," Rick said, gesturing to Alexis on the bed.
Dr Bridges looked at the teenager. "Oh sorry Mr Castle," he apologized. He turned his eyes on the brunette. "As I was saying, I want you to keep anything physical at bay until you can run up a flight of stairs. At least another two weeks off work and I will be suggesting to your boss that you take it easy for a month on top of that," he informed her.
The room was very quiet for a moment until Kate processed what she had just heard and answered. "Six Weeks! Six friggin weeks!" she shook her head. "No, I am a cop, I ..." before Kate could finished, Rick was by her side in the bed. One hand on her shoulder for support and the other laced with hers. She didn't fight it.
"I'll come back later," the doctor answered before walking out of the room.