A Strange Turn of Events

You Know This is The-

I step cautiously into the room, seeing Strange's back as he adjusts his cloak collar.

"Steph?"

I whimper, his body turning in slight surprise.

"You know this is the-"

He notices now is not the time as I run to him, catching him in a crushing hug around his midsection as I feel him tense, unmoving for a moment before he awkwardly pats my back. I take the hesitation as a cue to step away. Head low as I avert my eyes from him.

"About earlier..."

"That was completely uncalled for."

He interjects, and I wince, cowering like a scolded pup as I go to speak. He cuts me off before I begin.

"But, you were looking out for me. And I appreciate you getting angry in my stead."

I feel a quivering presence in my hair, ruffling it back and forth and I perk up instantly like a wilted flower that just received water. Finding the strength to meet his gaze as I didn't feel as awful about what I'd done.

"You mean that? You're not angry?"

"'Course not. You were a bit abrasive, but that's nothing I'm not used to. You were standing up for me, and I need to appreciate your loyalty more often."

He smiles a bit and I weakly smile back. His hand still sitting in my now fluffed mane he'd tossed about like I were his younger sibling. When did I become this close to a doctor? Usually I treat them like unholy beasts, and here I am prancing around him like a yearling without a care in the world. I feel safe around him, not something I can say for any one with a Phd. Or Md. and he has both! I suppose it was his honesty, or maybe his cheesy jokes and cultural references. Most likely a combination of the two.

~*~*~*~

My shoes made a distinct sound on the tile, my steps light, but deliberate.

"Where is Dr. Spurnbok?"

I demanded, all the women in the nurse's station just looking at me with confusion. This hospital was another bust, but maybe he was here under a different name. He did seem to be running after all.

"Dr. Spurnbok, radiation specialist, a Madeline Grimmwell to see him as soon as possible."

"We don't have a Dr. Spurnbok."

A blonde whispered apologetically.

"Anyone else we could get for you?"

I growled a little, but it wasn't their fault.

"No thank you. I'll just check the next hospital."

With little knowledge of the building and my senses dulled with the stench of bleach and cheap air freshener, I quickly found myself wandering aimlessly through the hospital. Being sure to move out of the way of any personnelle as I moved virtually undetected. Eventually I reached a rather busy section of the building, deducing it must be the ER. In order to avoid getting in anyone's way, I looked for anyone not treating a patient. Two people standing off to the side caught my attention. They seemed to be chatting, and therefore not busy. My steps taking me towards them just as the woman began to walk away. The male about to turn when I spoke.

"Excuse me?"

The doctor only looked annoyed with me, huffing out an exasperated sigh.

"I don't work ER, wait to be called."