Our Scars

Broken

46

Broken (Title by Lifehouse)

"I guess some things never change! You always were too sensitive Jay!" Gene called out after him when Jay took off in the direction of the men's rooms.

"And you obviously always an insensitive jackass! Show a little more respect, at least to your wife!" Rianne scoffed at him, making Gene toddle off by giving him the evil eye.

Then she turned to Jay's brother, scowling just as indignantly. She couldn't believe him: "Real nice Will! Who's side are you on?"

"Am I not even allowed to make a silly joke? Jay obviously doesn't want me to cuddle him. When I asked him before if he was doing okay he almost bit my head off, now I am trying to act like I normally would and it's also wrong... So what am I supposed to do?"

"Well, there's a big difference between cuddling and being just downright insensitive!"

The Halstead brothers were obviously hopeless when it came to handling a personal crisis of the other. Despite their mutual love and respect, they often just didn't get where the other one was coming from. Sometimes there was a go-between missing.

"Is he going to be okay?"

"I don't know. I hope he will. He just has to be!" That was really all she needed him to be.

"But if you actually wanna help with that: Stop with the inappropriate jokes and the fooling around on his expense and just be there. Freakin Apologize! I get it, it's hard to watch him struggle, but I think he's also trying really hard for you today. So go, talk to him!" Sending Will off with a slap on his red locks she felt like a referee, keeping them in line.

"Oh hello Rianne, nice seeing you here!"

"Good to see you too, Dr. Charles! Sit, have a drink with me!" Rianne raised her glass to Chicago Med's psychiatrist.

She hadn't seen him since a week before, when Jay had so graciously discharged himself. But she sure had thought about him from time to time wishing Jay would somehow decide to got back to Med and talk to the man. She had found him very helpful before.

The good doctor followed her invitation. After Jay had stomped off she had been left alone. Drinking at the busy bar seemed like a nice place to pass the time until he hopefully came back.

"If you don't mind me saying so: You look stunning tonight!" Daniel Charles nodded at her in good humor and she just loved him for his friendly and relaxed face keeping her company.

"I don't mind, but you wanna be careful not to mention that to my boyfriend as he seems to be extra sensitive concerning that today..."

"And where is that brave man of yours?" Dr. Charles let his eyes roam around the room, raising his eyebrows at her.

"Maybe he's practicing his best man's speech in the restrooms or kicking his brother's teeth in!" She really hoped he wasn't doing that.

"So, how is he?"

"Oh you know him... keeping it steady... at least on the outside."

"And how are you holding up?" It seemed that the professional never left his job behind completely.

She could tell a thing or two about that.

"You know me... keeping it steady..."

"On the outside..." he winked at her, knowing what she had wanted to say.

"Exactly," Rianne smiled and toasted him again, already feeling a light champagne rush.

"Well, you know... if it gets too hard to do that: You both know where to find me."