Chapter 3: Resolve and Annoyance

Warning: These events take place in an alternative universe! As such the characters will be out of character as their situation had differed. And there would be SPOILERS! It is also unbeta-ed. You have been warned. Continue reading at your own risk or leave and continue to hold your

The next time I visited him was actually pure coincidence. Coincidence being Joseph coming to visit me. After my shift. He was waving at me with a grin, donned in his hospital gown. My surprised must have shown on his face as he was shyly grinning at me.

"Joseph wanted to visit you after your shift," a female nurse, probably Joseph's explained, "What a nice boy he is."

Huh. So his name is Joseph. It wasn't what I was expecting but I had expected nothing either.

"I guess," I shrugged, nonchalant, dismissing her look of pity that she threw at me. She was probably new but she would learn like all the others that I was not to be pitied. With a polite small bow she left us alone.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I was bored and thought I should exercise a little," Joseph shrugged.

"Exercise?" I asked lifting a brow, "Like what?"

"You know," he looked down at his feet. It somehow irked me. His words and his gesture that is. "Just walking around."

I let out a mocking laugh and he lifted his head. "Then you should see what I do for exercise," I grinned feeling evil, "If you're up to it."

I took his polite curious expression as a "yes" and made a gesture for him to follow. I'm pretty sure Leia has classes today as well.

Lessons progressed and Joseph was happy to just sit aside and watch us learn how to fight. Today I had a mock battle with Leia and it's sad to say but I had lost. Devastatingly. It wasn't new but the frustration was there. There was the physical proof of my weakness. Being beaten by a girl. A very strong girl.

"Nice fight," she said after our mock battle.

I gave her a tight fake smile, "You too."

Once Leia's mother dismissed us, Leia instantly gravitated to my side after talking to her mother.

"Who's that guy?" She asked pointing to Joseph. Joseph seemed to notice and gave her a small wave to which she returned.

"That's Joseph," I replied. All I wanted was to get away and tend my wounds while I'm at it.

"He looks weird," she commented and I couldn't hold back a small laugh. Yeah, he is definitely weird. Weird enough to seek me out.

"Hey, are you okay?" He asked, concern and worry painted over his face. I growled in annoyance.

"Drop it."

He looked confused while Leia seemed surprised. "D-Drop what?" He asked.

"Don't stutter," I sighed, "Sorry. Just tired."

"That's understandable," he started. No, it really not. I don't understand why he would have to act around me, pretending to be worried and what not. It's stupid.

"Let's get you bandaged up," he said eying my injuries.

"It's fine. I can do it myself." I really needed to be alone right now.

Joseph seemed conflicted but Leia on the other hand insisted that she had to help me since she made the bruises in the first place. I tried to keep in my anger and annoyance and it worked. "She'll be gone soon." I repeated over and over in my head.

Soon I was seated on Leia's bed since her room was the closest, with a first-aid case in Leia's hands. While she stumbled with the procedures and the steps of basic first aid and made some sloppy mistakes, she and Joseph talked.

"So you're Leia and he's Jude," Joseph summed.

"Yup. I'm surprised the two of you talked to each other for so long you didn't even know his name, Joseph," Leia replied as she stuck another bandaid a little too high onto my face.

"That was a little too high," I pointed out and she mumbled out a small "sorry". Before she moved to take of the bandaid I stopped her.

"It's fine. Don't worry about it," I gave her a small weak smile. Seriously they need to leave. She smiled back oblivious to my pain.

"Well, all's well now," she nodded to herself and took a step back to admire her handy work. I groaned internally.

"Good job Leia," Joseph commented. Why was he always trying to get people on their good side? I doubt this is his "trying to understand other people" policy.

"Thank you!" Leia beamed at his compliment, "After all I want to become a nurse!"

Joseph looked at Leia before looking back to me. He did this a few times and every time he looked at me his confusion seemed to clear a little but it was still there. Was there something I was missing?

"What?" I asked in a harsher tone than I meant to. Perhaps my frustration was building up too much. He looked uncomfortable but he shook his head.

"It's nothing."

I made a small sound of annoyance. He wasn't like me at all. His characteristics were all off and I can't stand him when he is so fidgety and all goody-two-shoes.

"Aw, come on! Tell us!" Leia whined.

Actually compared to Leia, his presence was at least a bit more bearable. She was annoying and unbearable. Once again Joseph looked conflicted. What was so damn hard?

"Just say it already." He looked at me.

"I just wanted to know why you are taking these classes. What are they for?" He asked, nervously playing with his hospital gown.

"Oh," Leia paused. She too looked down as if she was deciding to tell or not.

"I took the classes because it was a part of my treatment," she started, "I couldn't walk until recently and these classes are just something that can speed up my recovery."

"But I don't know why Jude took these classes with me," Leia trailed off and looked at me. Joseph too mirrored her movement.

"It's for self-defence," I looked down at my hands if I can see the power running through my veins, "Also it's for me to get stronger. For me to protect what I want to protect."

There was silence after my declaration and I relished in that. Finally, some peace and silence.

"Wow, that's amazing. I admire you Jude," Leia started genuine making me blush a little. Damn compliments gets me every time, no matter what.

"It's true. Jude is a very amourable person," Joseph agreed. I sent him a small glare. He was just too agreeable. He caught it and gave me another one of his small smiles. I looked away somehow unable to meet his eyes.

"Well, I should be going," Joseph started again, "When do you have your lessons again?"

"Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 2 pm," Leia replied.

"Okay. I'll be sure to visit next time again," Joseph waved before dipping his head and left the room.

Silence descended between me and Leia. Too quiet. I just continued to stare down at my hands to keep myself from fidgeting. Only now I wished that Joseph hadn't left first.

"So..." Leia trailed off, the silence getting to her.

"I should I leave too," I quickly stood up and packed the bandages away neatly into the first aid kit.

"Ah! I'll help!" She scrambled to help but I shook my head.

"No, it's fine. I can do it. Thanks for your help, Leia," I said instead with my back turned to her. She was silent but I heard her sit down on the stool she was using in her room.

After I completely packed, I gave small bow with the first aid kit in my hands before leaving.

"Ah, Jude," she started. I held in a sigh. What could she want this time?

"Yes Leia?" I asked successfully keeping my annoyance in. She hesitated and looked nervous. It seems like it wasn't only Joseph who thinks it's so hard to say something.

"I..." She started but stopped. I twitched.

"Just spit it out already," I said with a tried sigh. She blinked before looking resolute about it. At the very least Joseph had said what he wanted out right when I told him too.

"I want to be someone that you can see as an equal," she admitted, "So watch me, alright?"

I was confused. Just what was she saying? After all she was already plenty of strong so why did she want me to see her as an equal?

Nevertheless I have her small hopefully not too fake smile and said, "Yeah. I'll see you to it."

My words made Leia stop fidgeting and she looked surprised at me. The surprise then quickly died away and she gave me one of her biggest sincerest smiles as I started to close the door.

"Yeah," she said and the door closed. I couldn't see her anymore and neither can she. Staring at the white sliding door I dropped my facade. Mixed emotions swirled within me and I looked away, turning down the hall. Just why did she look so surprised then I said that? Wasn't that what she was expecting? Similar thoughts ran through my head as I walked down the hospital hall, ignoring the states I received.

A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I do realize that these few chapters do start off a little slow but it's going to pick up especially the later few chapters! Also please point out any inconstancies this story may have.

Please don't be afraid to comment, especially about the grammar. Constructive criticism is always appreciated!