One Day at a Time - (Season One)

Chapter Seventeen: The Doctor

"Girlfriend?" Travis interrogated immediately, "You two are dating?" he turned to Nick, "Does your mom know about this?"

"Nope." Nick responded 'nonchalantly' as he popped the 'p' sound, "She hasn't asked."

"I'm not sick." Marty interrupted the two, her eyes only on Dr. Exner now, "Like I told Liza. I really hate eggs. Like a lot. A lot, a lot. I haven't smelled eggs cooking in a really long time and it triggered my gag reflex, that's all."

"I'd still like to conduct a quick examination. You know, just to alleviate your family's worries." Dr. Exner said in what Marty assumed was supposed to be a comforting manner.

She bit her bottom lip harshly before walking away to start taking down Madison's laundry in a hurry. Marty's heart was starting to race furiously in her chest. She did not have a good feeling about Dr. Exner's presence in the neighborhood, and she did not want to be examined by that woman. There was something cold in the way she had been looking at her and at Nick. And despite her seemingly kind words, they didn't feel genuine at all.

For the last week and a half, the military had assured them that there weren't any survivors left outside of the fence. That L.A. belonged to the dead now. Lutenient Moyers, the head man of the troops camped out in the neighborhood, had threatened to detain rowdy or uncooperative civilians more than once. Alicia told her that he'd even made a comment about shooting people the day before during his announcement!

Was this at the same facility that this doctor was taking people to? Was it really safe? What if this woman decided that Marty was ill or needed to be watched and forced her to come with them? There could be actual infected people there like Mr. Peters or Mr. Dawson! Marty couldn't leave! She wouldn't be able to protect Lukas if she was dragged away to some facility, and there was no way that she would allow them to take Lukas from the safety of the Clarks household. Oh God, what if they didn't give her a choice-

"Hey! Hey, Marty. Marty!" a comforting voice murmured in her ear, "Marty, breathe! In and out. Come on, Marty. Good! Hold it, let it out. Good girl..."

Marty hadn't even realized that she'd been hyperventilating on the ground until then. She blinked up at Nick in confusion, "Wha-" Marty croaked.

His smile was a little strained, but the relieved look on his face was real as he tenderly cupped Marty's cheek and rubbed away a stray tear, "You're okay, Marty. Just a little panic attack. That's all."

Suddenly, Dr. Exner, the cause of said panic attack, was there- flashing her tiny flashlight into Marty's eyes, "Dilated pupils." the woman spoke to herself before grabbing Martina's wrist, "Fast heartbeat. I'd like to-"

"You can go to hell." Nick snapped, pulling her wrist away from the doctor as he curled Marty to his chest in a protective manner. "I think you've done enough." he hissed at the woman, before turning back to Marty, "Come on, Marty, let's get you inside. We'll take a little nap before dinner." The older teen's tone was positively sweet when he'd turned his attention back to Marty, his mannerisms gentle as he helped her off the ground and led her inside.

"Marty!" Lukas cried nervously when he caught sight of her face. "Are you okay!"

"She's fine, buddy." Nick answered matter-of-factly, "Marty's feeling a little tired, and she's just gonna take a little nap now."

The German Shepherd that had been sleeping under the dining room table sniffed at Marty's clammy, limp hands worriedly before letting out a tiny whine and rubbing his body against hers. Marty would have definitely fallen if Nick hadn't still been holding on to her. Nick gently guided her to his room and onto the bed before kneeling down to slip off her sneakers. He took one look at her face before wiping away the tears Marty hadn't even known were flowing down her cheeks.