The Doctor is In

Part 6

"You better be bleeding or dying" Marco said flatly.

Jean let out a nervous laugh, "my soccer coach used to say that when I would try to get out of conditioning." Marco wasn't amused.

"Jean, do you seriously have something medically wrong with you?"

Jean looked at his feet, twiddling his thumbs nervously like he did the first time they had met. "He's so cute when he does that"Marco thought, but then quickly shook the thought away.

"I mean, my heart hurts." He said softly.

"I prescribe you an anti-acid."

"You know what I mean." Jean said. "Why did you run? Why have you been ignoring me? What did I do wrong?"

Marco felt a pang of guilt. He knew ghosting Jean wasn't right and could see the hurt on his face. It wasn't something that was characteristic for him. He looked at his watch, he had about 20 minutes before his next patient.

He let out a deep sigh, leaning against the counter. "You're right, I shouldn't have just ghosted you like that. I...I panicked. When you started touching me in certain places I got scared, it just brought some things to mind that I have tried to repress. It's...complicated. I mean it's not like it didn't enjoy it, but..."

"It's complicated." Jean echoed.

Marco nodded.

"Well, I really enjoyed our time together. It was the first time I really felt not just a physical, but an emotional connection. But I am really sorry for doing anything that made you uncomfortable or violated your boundaries. I should have been more verbal about getting consent."

Marco smiled slightly. "Well, you've done better than most guys in my past, at least you stopped when I said stop."

Jean's face turned serious, but he knew it wasn't his place to push for information. "Complicated"

Marco noticed Jean's expression. "It's nothing like that just...I just haven't had the best experiences with sex or relationships."

"Again I'm sorry for-"

"Really, it's ok. You didn't know, and like I said I was enjoying it until..."

"I went for the backdoor." Jean said trying to lighten the mood. This time Marco laughed.

"Well, I would love to make it up to you. Drinks or dinner sometime?"

Marco went silent for a moment.

"I...I don't think that's a good idea Jean. It may just be better if we just stay as Doctor and Patient."

Jean struggled to hide his disappointed. "I understand." He hoped off the examination table. "I'll let you get back to your job. I'll see you around."

"Have a good day Jean."

Alone in the exam room, Marco put his face in his hands. "and Marco Bodt self-destructs again" he mumbled. His self-pity party was interrupted as a manic Hitch busted into the room.

"Are you f*cking serious?!?!"

"What?"

"You've spent all this time talking about this guy, and how much you like him, and want to right for him, to get better for him!! Not to mention how great he is with his hands and his mou-"

"Hitch, your point?"

"Go after him you massive idiot!!!" she said thumping him on the forehead. "If you are lucky, you can still catch him in the parking lot!"

Marco felt a surge on energy run through him, but his feet felt frozen.

"Go!!!!"

The next thing he knew he was running through the office nearly knocking over a nurse carrying a urine sample. He looked like a mad man as he busted into the waiting room, hoping Jean was still checking out.

"Sh*t"

He dashed out the door of the medical building scanning the parking lot for a red Honda CRV. He couldn't see it, and his heart sank. Then it came around the from the aisle of the parking lot.

Without thinking, Marco ran out into the parking lot.

"F*ck!!!" Jean slammed on his brakes just in time to avoid hitting the doctor. Panting and sweating, Marco laid face first on the hood of Jean's car.

Jean jumped out of his car, panic on his face. "Are you ok?!?"

Marco gave a weak thumbs up.

"What the hell were you thinking?! I could have killed you or at least given you some serious road rash."

Marco was trying to catch his breath.

"So you just gonna lay on my car or..."

Marco pushed himself up. "I'm sorry...I just couldn't let you leave. Not like this."

"Why the sudden change of heart?" Jean asked.

"I'm tired of self-destruction, especially when something, or in this case, someone absolutely wonderful comes along. Plus, I had someone literally knock some sense into me."

Jean smiled, "you think I'm wonderful?"

Marco playfully rolled his eyes, "not the point idiot". He grabbed Jean's shirt collar and kissed him hard, letting his other hand wrap around his waist.

"So, dinner then?" Jean asked as they broke apart.

"What do you think?"

It was Jean's turn to kiss Marco.

"You know you had my number and could have just called me."

********************************************************

Jean anxiously checked his watch. Despite Marco's declaration in the parking lot a few days ago, he was nervous that he might not show.

"Sir, would you like to go ahead and be seated?" The young waiter asked.

"Um, yeah a table outside if you have it, please."

"Right this way" he said holding two menus.

Jean went ahead and ordered two Manhattans as he looked over the menu. He was also going over the worst-case scenarios when the chair across from him scrapped against the ground.

"I'm sorry I kept you waiting, I hope you didn't think that you ran off." Marco said. He looked so good in a dark green button down and khaki pants, his hair looked a bit damp. "I was caught late working late and as you can tell" pointing to his hair, "I was running a bit late."

"Well, your good looks make up for it" Jean said teasingly. "It's nice when you work freelance, I can set my own hours."

"Nice table...it's a nice evening."

"You know, just using my good looks as well" Jean said with a smirk. "I ordered us some Manhattans."

Marco smiled, his eyes shining. "You remembered my favorite cocktail..."

"I've remembered about you" Jean said winking at the handsome doctor. Marco was grateful that he was sitting down as he became weak in the knees.

The dinner date was a success as the two bonded over the love of music, travel, books, and soccer. They talked about their career choices and how they got there.

"So, you dad still gives you sh*t for making art a career."

"Not as much as he used to, its more just passive aggressive comments at Christmas time. I think it kind of annoys him that I am actually successful at what I do." He took a sip of his third cocktail. "So, what about your parents I'm sure they love that you became a doctor."

Marco went quiet, his face falling a bit. "Actually, my parents don't even know I am a doctor. In fact, they don't even know where I live...they haven't since I was a junior in undergrad."
Jean reached his hand across the table, taking Marcos into his. "I'm really sorry Marco."

"Well, considering what an a** my dad was to me and how my mom just stood by...it's for the best. Plus, there are plenty of loving moms and dads who offer free hugs at pride." Marco said, giving Jean's hand a gentle squeeze.

*******************************************************

The two ended up walking along the historical streets in Philadelphia, hands intertwined.

"I'm really glad you almost hit me with your car."

"You mean you running out in front of my car" Marco corrected him with a laugh.

"So" Jean asked hesitantly, "Where do we go from here?"

Marco stopped, pulling them towards a park bench. "I really like you Jean, and I already know we have a good physical connection. I just...I have some baggage to unpack, and I just need you to be patient with me. Because, I want this, I want you. I also want to be the best version of myself for you. So..."

Jean leaned in and kissed Marco softly. "I'll be as patient as you need me to be. You are worth it."

"Also, you may need to find a new doctor, the medical board tends to have rules about doctors dating their patients." Marco said with a gentle laugh. "Don't worry I can give you some recommendations."

They both laughed.

Jean let his thumb gently rub across Marco's hand. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure"

"Why did you run that day? You mentioned bad experiences...I just...don't want to repeat the same mistakes others have made. If you're not comfortable talking about it, I understand..."

"It's not that...I just don't wanna send you running for the hills."

"You won't...I promise. I told you I would be patient and I meant it."

Marco let out a sigh. "Well a lot if has to do with my ex...Mileus.