The Artful Dodger

1.02 The Prof's Pride

I stood with Jack, Hetty and the other nurses. We surround the Prof. After we etherd him, he was brought to rest in the recovery ward. He appeared to be an ass even as he rested. A talent I am sure only he and a select few others have. "So what exactly are we telling him?" Hetty asked quietly. I watched as Jack rubbed his thumb into his finger. He wasn't sure either.

I reached forward and grabbed his hand, forcing him to stop rubbing his fingers raw. "He is black out drunk. All he needs to know is he operated, and now his friend is in recovery" I told them. Jack looked at me, I looked up at him -- locking our eyes. "You make that sound easy" he said. He pulled his hand from mine, shoving his hands into his pockets. I laughed lightly. "I'm sure you can figure it out. From what I hear, you can get out of almost anything" I said. He rolled his eyes at me. I guess he doesn't like the mention to his side job. Maybe he shouldn't be a thief then, I wouldn't be able to tease him on it. In fact, I wouldn't even be here to be a royal pain in his side.

An hour later the prof began to stir. We all began to clap for the professor's 'heroics' with saving his friend. Why he needs that extra praise, I will never know. However, Jack said we must, so we are. "What? Why?" he asked as he sat up ever so slightly. He propped himself up on his elbows. "Extraordinary, sir. It was like you were in a trance." Jack said as he moved to clasp his hands behind his back. So professional looking.

I smiled lightly at the prof. "That is the word. Like he was out of his body." I added in, glancing at Jack. "We thought your friend would die, but somehow, you took control and saved him. It was a medical miracle." Jack told the older man. He looked as though he were amused by this situation. Yet it does play off as he is inspired and in awe. Acting and playing things off must be another trait that has graced him for his criminal activity counterpart. 

"Oh, you know," the prof began. He cleared his throat as he sat up more. "-the three pillars. Training, knowledge, and experience. But, and when that fails, an instinct kicks in." he said. As if he were to actually do it. Never in a million years would this simpleton actually preform a surgery like Jack and I just hours ago. "Remarkable." Jack replied. I smiled, having to keep my laughter at bay from Jack's tease.

I shifted closer to Jack, lightly bumping my shoulder with his. I shared a quick look with the blonde man before looking back to the professor. "Do you know, I... I have almost no memory of how I achieved it." the recently drunken man stated. "Oh, but you were exhausted at the end and slept the sleep of the righteous" I told him. I could feel Jack looking at me. I looked to him and smiled. I am an excellent liar. He should know this by now. Why I see so much shock in his eyes, I do not know. He looked back to the prof. "If only you could have seen yourself as we saw you, sir." he said in complimentary to the man's abilities. Perhaps it is him who is the master liar. 

Our group dispersed as the prof raised from his resting place. Finally, perhaps I can go get some air now. I left the room and exited the building from the side door. I only went a few steps and sat near the corner. I was able to sit in quiet for five minutes before the door opened again. "There you are" Jack said.

He walked around me and sat in the corner -- resting his back on the wall. I went down a step to sit closer to him. We were quiet. I took a deep breath, the fresh air helping my chest. "That was truly something in there." Jack finally said. I looked to him. "Will he live?" I asked softly. "I don't know. But he survived the operation, which is remarkable." he said. I could tell he had more to say, but he paused. He let his head fall back lightly, resting on the wall. "I doubt what we did in there has ever been done before." he added. He seemed so proud. And if he is not, then I am surly proud enough for the both of us. He did what days before would be considered impossible. Hours before, minutes, seconds even. "You were very good." I praised him. "As were you." he returned.  He looked at me, a smirk forming.

This man is about to say something to tease me. Or to anger me. I am not sure which. "Mind you, a good surgeon doesn't get dizzy over the sight of blood. Well, it took me two years." he said. I laughed lightly. He was slightly attemping both, more towards teasing. "I'm perfectly fine with blood." I told him. I truly emphasized that blood was not my problem. Well, the patients blood at least. I am not sure he believes me, but I do not wish for him to know what is wrong -- so perhaps him thinking I get weak at the sight of blood is ok. "You did very well. Nice embroidery on that bowel." he praised me. Heat raised to my cheeks. I do not know why his words cause such reaction. "That's what we women are good for." I replied back almost teasingly. Jack held back a light laugh, he leaned forward. He placed his arm over my legs, his hand resting on my far knee, squeezing lightly. "What we did today was extraordinary." he said once more.

"Jack?" I asked softly. I received a hum in return. "Why... why did you become a common thief?" I asked him softly. Jack sat back, leaning against the wall once more. His hand slid down from my knee and rested on the outside of my far thigh -- my dress pulled ever so slightly but still reached the ground. I glanced at him, but he seemed far off in thought. I placed my hand over his, gaining his attention.

Jack still refused to look at me. "I was born into it, one would say" he said softly. "No mother, no father. Just me and the clothes on my back. Fagin, he saw a... potential in me. Took me in and taught me how to survive, I guess" he informed. I squeezed his hand. "And have you solved your problem?" I asked softly as I ran my fingers along his, playing with them. "Not yet. But it is under control, I assure you" he said softly. "I can help you" I told him. Jack locked eyes with me. "I do not need your help Kim, but thank you" he said. I nodded lightly. Is it so hard to accept help? I can give him the money he needs. It wouldn't even make the tiniest of dents in my fortune. Can he not see that I offer because I care. Jack leaned forward and kissed my cheek. Heat raised to my face once again. Of course this man would do such things.

Jack squeezed my thigh lightly before standing up. I watched him closely as he walked up the stairs. He went back inside the hospital without another word or glance in my direction. I sighed and wrapped my arms around my knees. I plaid with the hem of my dress as I thought about Jack. He has the potential to change the world of medicine. He is changing it, slowly. Yet he will be stopped if he loses his hand. He has made it clear that his past life was thieving -- may or may not still dabble in it -- but now his life is medicine. It is what he loves to do, his passion. I do not know what this man is doing to me, but I do know I care a great deal about him. I do not know if I can watch him lose his hand, his passion and his life all in one. And I surly cannot sit back and do nothing. Even if he does not wish it.