Knocking On Death's Door (J. Ortiz) (au)

Chapter Fourteen

     Persephone couldn't pay attention to anything after the revelation that Juan Carlos had told her. She was terrified for her family. She barely slept, she wad always on edge, and she refused to leave the house without carrying her pocket knife in the pocket of her white coat. She'd slip the knife into her pants pocket every morning before work and back into her pants pocket after work.

     She knew how to use the knife because of Alek. He was the reason she knew anything about self defense. But, at this point, he almost wished he hadn't taught her to be so fearless. She put herself in a dangerous situation, which scared him half to death, and it was because he taught her how to be fearless and stand up for herself in any situation, even when she really was scared out of her mind.

     The day came for Juan Carlos to go back to the prison, and she hadn't even felt like the days had passed. She was so wrapped up in her own fears and worries that she didn't even consider how scared Juan Carlos was about leaving the hospital. Anything could happen to him, and she didn't even bother consoling him about it, but that wasn't really her fault, nor his.

"Everything will be fine, Juan Carlos. Six months in protective custody, then you'll get your hearing." She said, as she unhooked him from all the machines.

"Easy for you to say," He grumbled,"You're not going back to certain death."

"No?" She questioned,"Any moment I could walk out of here and be killed because of an angry patient, angry family member, or...Jax."

"You shouldn't have gotten yourself into this." He said, making her frown.

"So, you're mad now that I protected you? You're blaming this all on me?" She retorted, and he sighed.

"If you wouldn't have interfered--"

"You would be dead!" She exclaimed,"What part of that do you not understand?!"

"Why does it even matter?" He asked,"My life doesn't matter. I don't matter. I have no one."

"God, you're dense, Juan Carlos," She commented angrily,"Say that again in six months when you're granted parole."

"There's no guarantee that'll happen," He said,"Hell, there's no guarantee I'll make it till tomorrow once I'm back there."

"I wish only the best for you, Juan Carlos," She murmured,"and I hope that when you have your hearing, you're more hopeful and less ready to accept a fate that isn't set in stone."

     Percy locked eyes with Juan Carlos for a moment, and he could almost see all the emotions running through her. Before he or Percy could say anything else, a knock was heard, then two guards came into the room. Percy gave them a look, a look that told them to be careful or there'd be consequences, and it seemed to work. The two men carefully cuffed Juan Carlos and lead him out of the hospital room.

     Percy stood in the hall, watching as Juan Carlos was lead out of the hospital with a guard on either side of him. She felt dread fill her stomach, and she had almost wished she had lied on the charts about his health. She didn't know why she was acting this way. Truth be told, she had never even thought about forging papers to keep a patient in the hospital. She would never actually do that, considering she'd never risk her job for anyone, but she did think about it for a slight second.

"He'll be fine, Persephone." Fran said, as she placed a gentle hand on the doctor's soldier.

"I know," Percy replied,"I don't know why I'm acting like this."

"You care about him." Fran commented, making the woman frown.

"I care about all my patients, Fran. I've never acted like this before. I mean, sure I've shed a tear a few times when some passed, but this..." She trailed off, and Fran smiled lightly.

"It's a different type of caring," She answered,"You have feelings for him."

"That's not true, there's no way!" Percy exclaimed quietly,"and even if it was, he's my patient. It's against the rules to fraternize with a patient."

"You're not fraternizing with a patient," Fran laughed,"He's no longer your patient. He's just a guy. So, if you do have feelings for him — not saying you do, but if you do, it wouldn't be wrong."

"He's a criminal." She murmured, making Fran scoff.

"If you can look past it when you're in doctor mode, you can look past it now," Fran stated,"Besides, I may have asked the guard what he was in for, and I can promise it's not murder or anything serious."

     Percy wouldn't admit it, but hearing that from Fran did make her feel a little bit of relief. She wouldn't admit to herself that she had feelings for him. She couldn't admit something like that, because it just wasn't true, was it? She couldn't possibly be falling for a criminal; her patient nonetheless, could she?

"You should take lunch now," Fran commented,"it'll give you time to think and clear your head."

"Yeah, that's a good idea." Percy murmured, as she grabbed her purse and headed towards the cafeteria to buy some food.

     Percy couldn't ask her brother to bring food to her, especially when he had her kids. She wouldn't put any of them in danger. They were safe at home, which is where she'd be going the moment she left the hospital.

     Percy hadn't told Fran about anything going on, because she didn't want to worry the old woman. The poor woman was so close to retirement, and Percy didn't want to cause her any stress. Fran was such a good nurse and friend, she didn't need any drama. Obviously, Fran liked hearing about the drama, but she definitely didn't need to be in it. Percy didn't want the older woman worrying about her or anyone else if she could help it, she was already helping her enough as it was...

Note: Percy's pocket knife is in the media!