ben was snapped from his thoughts by a doctor bustling into his room. humming absentmindedly as he approached the bed, head down over a clipboard, the physician seemed startled when he finally noticed the young man was awake. with a friendly smile he approached the bed. '' well good morning mr harris, glad to see you're finally awake'' his friendliness wasn't diminished when his only reply was a grunt. ''since you're up then lets just give you a quick physical then you should be ok to head up and see the boss. he's been quite concerned you know.''
the bluenet kept quiet as he was quicky examined, offering only one word answers to the doctors more direct questions. ''well you're healing very nicely and since i'm sure you're quite eager to leave i'll get your papers signed while you get cleaned up, ok?'' he gave another smile at bens muttered ''thanks''. ''just pick up your pain pills and discharge papers at the desk when you're ready'' with that and a quick handshake the older man was gone.
ben breathed a sigh of relief as he was left alone, glad that for once he had a doctor who seemed to understand that he wanted out the wards asap. trying not to jar his wounds too badly he made his way over to the bathroom, the sooner he got clean the sooner he'd be outta here. ''and the sooner you can see him!''. he nearly tripped as the strange thought whispered through his mind. ''what the hell!'' with a quick shake of his head he pushed the strange voice to the back of his mind and resolved to ignore it.
after picking up his things at the reception desk and doing his best to ignoring the flirting of the nurses, ben made his way over to the lifts. ''time to go see the old man i guess.'' he was glad to find an empty car and quickly got in and hit the express button to the top floor, ignoring the call of ''hold the doors'' from an pimply boy in a lab coat. he wasnt in the mood to put up with people right now. ''when are you ever? you're so antisocial you cant even remember the last time you had a conversation that wasnt to do with work.'' the bleunet had to resist the urge to bang his head against the wall in frustration as the smarmy little voice started up again. it always seemed to start up when he was tired, talking nonsense directly into his brain. ''its not nonsense! its honesty and you know it!''
he was never so grateful for the speed of the elevators in hunters hq as the musical *ping* that signaled his arrival on the top floor shut that stupid little voice up instantly. the head hunters pa was waiting for him. ''ah, mr harris, right on time. please step onto the red square for your security check.'' ben did as instructed, answering his security questions calmly and ignoring the ache in the back of his teeth as the scanners ran up and down his body. '' well done mr harris, you are cleared for entry. please go straight through, mr hunter is expecting you.'' he walked towards the big double doors without another word to the pa, taking a deep breath and squaring his shoulders he gave a quick knock then entered.