Visible Ghosts

17

Owen POV

"Owen, are you really reading the newspaper again?" A tired voice says across the small table from me. Reading the rest of the line I am on; I mentally mark my place and lay the business section of the paper down on the hospital cafeteria table. My best friend's green eyes are drooping but hold some mirth at my expense.

Carefully adjusting the cuffs of my gray suit jacket, I quirk one eyebrow at him. He has a slice of pie and a coffee in front of him, it's barely 8:00 o'clock in the morning. "Are you really eating apple pie for breakfast again, Dr. Green?"

"You're so sassy." He exasperates, leaning forward in his chair and taking a giant mouthful of pie, then without finishing chewing he continues speaking - I'm sure to annoy me. "My shift ended 20 minutes ago, give a guy a break. I'm staying for the meeting then going home. Got to prepare for this hellish nightmare of hours we have coming up." He says glumly around another bite of pie. If there are three things that should never be said in the same sentence it's Sean Green, apple pie, and glum.

"For the record, I haven't read this newspaper yet." I decide to humor him. "This one doesn't get delivered to the house." And there's a good reason for that, it's full of petty politics and always has pitiful economics articles.

Sean doesn't grace me with a response, just a dramatic eye roll. But I'm not too upset, he's been awake for over 24 hours and just got off a 12-hour shift. Anyone would be irritable in that position. I make a mental note to make sure he gets some proper food in him and that he gets a nap today.

Shifting slightly in my chair, I angle my body to watch sleepy families come in to get food as visitor hours are going to start soon, and doctors and nurses grabbing quick bites to eat and copious amounts of coffee before their next task. It also gives me the perfect position to watch both exits for Axel. Out of the corner of my eye, I'm aware that Sean has finished his apple pie and has closed his eyes leaning back in his chair. Good, even if he's not asleep he could use the rest.

It isn't until 8:30 on the dot that Axel strides into the cafeteria. His usual composure is back in place after it crumbled last night. His crisp white dress shirt doesn't have a wrinkle in sight and his black slacks make him look like a man in charge. He makes his way to our table and settles himself in the empty chair. Sean is slumped, his head lolled to the side, eyes still closed. Looks like he got a tiny power nap in, after all. Careful to not disturb him, I greet Axel quietly. "Morning Mr. Toma."

"Hello Owen, are any of the boys going with us?" He replies in an equally subdued voice.

Shaking my head no, I pull out my phone. "A handful sent a few questions to me but none were able to come on such short notice. A lot of them have other missions going on or have previous plans." With a couple of taps, I copy the texts and send them in a group message to Axel and Sean. Standing, I reluctantly shake Sean's shoulder. As much as I want him to sleep, we're supposed to meet Phil at 8:45. "Come on Dr. Green, time to get up."

"Uh, what?" Sean jerks awake, flailing so his chair tips onto its back legs. Gripping the top of it, I quickly straighten him out.

"Nothing is happening, we're still at the hospital," I tell him calmly. "It's time for the meeting with Dr. Roberts."

"Oh, okay." Sean rubs his eyes, shaking his head, his unruly blonde curls bouncing around. They fall obscuring part of his vision; it seems like he needs a haircut. I'll have to mention it to Gabriel. "Okay, I'm ready." Rising from the chair, Sean notices Axel for the first time. "Hey, Axel."

"Sean, you don't have to be here for this," Axel tells him with a hint of concern lacing his tone. "Go home and get some sleep, I can put you on call if you want to listen in."