The Medic - Book One

CHAPTER EIGHT

In the days that followed, Percy gradually found his equilibrium again. The night he had all those flashbacks seemed to break down barriers between him and Street, allowing a new level of trust and camaraderie to blossom. Percy, ever resilient, returned to his duties with a renewed vigor, the shadows of his past nightmares less oppressive in the light of day.

Street was wrapped up in a case, tracking down escaped prisoners with the rest of his team, and hadn't had time to stop by, leaving Percy a bit lonely, and waiting impatiently for their weekly check-up. Thursday rolled around, and Percy prepped his notes for the 20-David team. He had staggered the check-up days depending on the team, so he wasn't ever too swamped. Mondays were for Mumford's team, Tuesdays for staff, and Thursdays for Hondo's team. It left him enough time for paperwork and gave him the flexibility to be on call, as he could easily move around appointments to any of the other days he didn't have booked. His appointments always went by seniority, so Street, as the newest member of Hondo's team, was always his last appointment. 20-David's order was Hondo, Deacon, Luca, Chris, Tan and then Street. Technically, Deacon and Luca had both been around longer than Hondo, but as team leader he bumped the line.

Speaking of Hondo, Percy thought glancing at his watch, the team leader was five minutes late. Hicks told him their shift ended half an hour ago, so where was he?

The sound of hurried footsteps and muffled voices approaching the med bay snapped Percy out of his thoughts. He looked up just in time to see the 20-David team bursting through the door, their expressions a mix of concern and urgency. At the center of the commotion was Street, supported on either side by Hondo and Deacon, his face pale and twisted in pain.

"Jackson, we need you!" Hondo called out, his voice laced with worry as they carefully laid Street down on the nearest cot.

Percy's heart raced at the sight, any irritation at their tardiness instantly replaced by professional focus mixed with personal concern. "What happened?" he demanded, quickly moving to Street's side to assess the situation.

"It was a drill; things got a bit out of hand. We think he might have broken his leg," Luca explained, his usual jovial tone replaced by seriousness.

Percy's hands moved deftly over Street's leg, his touch gentle yet probing, trying to gauge the extent of the injury without causing further pain. Street hissed through clenched teeth but tried to offer a weak smile. "Hey, Doc, got any of that magic touch for me today?"

"Not the time for jokes, Street," Percy scolded softly, his worry evident. He was relieved, at least, that the med bay was well-equipped, thanks to his insistence on having comprehensive facilities, including an X-ray room next door.

"Alright, we need to get an X-ray to confirm, but I need everyone else out. Too crowded in here," Percy instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. The team, understanding the severity of the situation, nodded and stepped out, leaving Percy and Street alone.

As Percy prepared Street for the X-ray, his frustration at Street's carelessness bubbled up. "What were you thinking, Street? You know better than to take unnecessary risks during drills."

Street winced, not just from the pain but also from Percy's reprimand. "I know, I know. Got caught up in the moment, I guess."

Percy sighed, his anger dissipating as quickly as it had flared up. He knew Street was prone to pushing the limits, but it didn't make it any easier to see him hurt. "Just... try to be more careful, okay? I can't keep patching you up if you turn yourself into a human pin cushion."

With Street's leg positioned, Percy carefully maneuvered the portable X-ray machine into place, making sure to shield the rest of Street's body. The hum of the machine filled the room as the image was captured, and Percy couldn't help but feel a sense of dread at what it might reveal.