You Asked For It • •

[julien rocco thorne]

Julien's job saw people at their lowest points. He saw them when they felt they had no hope left in their lives. Then he had the joy of working with them through that, encouraging them to push through that darkness and survive that seemingly endless night. Hope was a shaky step to some, or a curl of a fist to others. Julien helped them take that further. He worked with them through tears and laughter to push their injured bodies back to fitness. He guided them to rebuild the strength in wasted muscle. Nothing made him happier than seeing people who lost everything find that glimmer of hope and cling to it as they fought against the odds to find their life again. Severe injury or the loss of a limb was not the end, and Julien did his absolute best to make them see that. He didn’t care if they wanted to scream through their pain and grief. They were right when they said he would never understand what they had been through. The couldn’t and hopefully wouldn’t. He just knew that the human body was so much more than people often allowed it to be.

It was one of his strongest beliefs. It was one of the reasons why he kept himself in good shape, and why he had a number of posters detailing the human anatomy in his small, but clean office. He called it an office, but it was really more of an exam room off the side of the main gym that the patients in their care used. It had a bed, a desk, and chairs in, along with drawers and cupboards stocked with medical supplies that he might be in need of. The reason he referred to it as an office though was because he mostly used the space to update patient files and speak to any of his outpatients in private if they had any concerns or requests. Inpatients received a lot of their medical care in their rooms or on their assigned wards, with Julien only supervising their physiotherapy and guiding their recovery under the guidance of their doctors. In the hospital he was a long way down the food chain, but he wasn’t chasing after power or command. All he wanted was to help people return to their lives after a flash of tragedy.

He was getting ready to finish up for the day. With a late cancellation from one of his regular outpatient appointments, he found himself with a small bit of unexpected free time. There was nothing left to do at the hospital. He was up to date with his files, and his cupboards were all in check. There were a few more of his colleagues working that afternoon, so he wouldn’t be needed to close down the gym. He changed out of his work clothes but left his staff lanyard around his neck for the time being. People rarely stopped him, but after an awkward run in with a to-the-point security guard who was on his first shift when Julien had been leaving one night, he preferred to look like he belonged in those ‘Staff Only’ areas now. There had been a lot of fumbling in his bag to look for his ID, a shower of loose change from an old wallet, and a lot of muttered apologies before Julien had realised the thing was bundled up in the pocket of his jeans. This way was much easier and less embarrassing. He was slipping his water bottle into his bag besides some exercise sheets when he heard movement outside his door. “Unless you’re a ghost, don’t hover. C’mon in.” He said with a warm chuckle, sweet as syrup.

• • •

TAGGED! Emery Arizona Garston
WORDS! 622!
OUTFIT! Sexy Sweetheart!
LYRICS! Love Song - - - Sara Bareilles
NOTES!

[Emery Arizona Garston]

Emery didn't mind running her brother's errands whenever he was feeling a little twinge here or there. He was fully capable of doing his own thing but there were days when a migraine hit or his leg just wouldn't hold him up, even with help. They were few and far between so she let it slide when she was well aware there was a new game being dropped and he wanted to be one of the first ones to play it. Even when he claimed his leg was just tight and cramped. She took a little pity but she called him on it for days afterwards and used the same excuses because it was what they did. It didn't matter to either of them that he was genuinely missing his leg and that there were days he actually couldn't get out of bed. However, Emery knew the difference between his good days and the bad days. She knew when he was faking it and when he was truly down and out for the day. Today, there was no doubt in Emery's mind, Derek was faking the pain. There was something he wanted to do, probably play video games, and didn't want to actually do the physiotherapy he required. That was a lifelong commitment so he didn't get that tight.

At least he didn't mind wearing the prosthesis, which was good because he'd always been an active guy when they were growing up. They were both athletic but he went above and beyond what was required, which was probably why he'd signed up to serve and protect his country. It was a damn good thing they had the same sense of humour because Emery felt like she would have been unable to help her brother if he didn't have the same morbid sense of humour that she had. It would have been difficult trying to help him through this whole experience. As soon as she'd walked into his hospital room, he'd cracked a joke about no longer being whole and pure anymore and how he'd left his leg in the middle east! She'd returned cracking a joke about as long as he hadn't left his heart there. The other people in the room probably thought they were crazy but anyone who had ever known either twin knew they were wildly inappropriate where humour was concerned.

That was probably why they'd both been pretty happy when he'd finally found a physiotherapist who could handle the morbid sense of humour the twins shared. Derek had tried out a couple of different physiotherapists but none had lasted more than a visit because they didn't think his reactions were appropriate. Emery could understand finding a person who could understand. And that was another reason why she didn't mind running errands at the hospital. Julien didn't bat an eye when she said something terribly inappropriate but nonetheless funny. "Being a ghost has its perks." Emery pointed out, stepping into view.

♦ ♦ ♦

TAG; julien rocco thorne
WORDS; 494
LYRICS; Written in the Stars --Old Dominion
NOTES; <3