Perseverance (The Resident FF) by Frances51163

CHAPTER SIX: Army Buddies

Tuesday found Conrad dealing with a couple of unexpected things. He was taking a well earned breather on a bench outside, despite the cold, when the CEO, Claire Thorpe, had asked if she could join him. After expressing sympathy for the loss of his friend she had explained to him that if he wished he could avail of counselling. He had politely thanked her for her consideration but declined. She had then pointed out that any counselling would be free. He had declined again.
As she stood to go back inside she said the offer was always there and if he wished she could even arrange for him to talk to someone in another facility. It had been hard not to lose his patience but he knew she was genuine in her intentions so he kept a smile on his face as he assured her he was fine. He wound up spending another ten minutes outside just to calm himself down. Why couldn't people just accept he didn't want to talk about things? It wasn't that hard a concept surely. He consoled himself that at least Nic wasn't there so he didn't have to deal with her disapproval, however well intentioned.

He worked another few hours and was after agreeing to do a double shift just before he was informed by a smiling Devon that there were visitors waiting for him down in the ER. When asked for their identity his friend had simply stated he would find out when he went down. Wondering why the first year Resident was being so coy he headed down in the lift rubbing a hand down his face tiredly. He made his way over to the reception area and was about to ask the Nurse behind the desk if she knew who his mysterious visitors were when a voice caught his attention causing him to turn around quickly. He found himself facing two large men standing at attention saluting him.

"Guys told ye years ago never to do that! Hell ye were never meant to salute me I was only a Corporal," Conrad admonished abashededly seeing Steven and Mark, the two Security Guards, paying attention as well as everyone else in reception.
"Sir! Yes Sir!" the two men spoke before breaking the salute and walking forward to greet their friend.
"Damn man you look as young as ever!" Eric Tanner, the tallest man with blond hair and gray eyes, reached the dumbfounded man first and engulfed him in a hug.
"Hey my turn," Danny Murphy, the second man with a head of jet black curls and dark eyes, ordered and quickly hugged the man they owed their lives to before stepping back.

"You don't look too good Conrad," Eric was the first to speak after they were led by the quiet man into a vacant treatment cubicle.
"I'm fine ... wasn't expecting to see ye."
"So we figured," Danny, the closest in age to Conrad, spoke becoming serious, "we had to come when we heard about Andy."
"Didn't know ye were in Georgia," Conrad offered up trying to calm his breathing. He didn't know why but he felt like he was going to have a panic attack.
"We're not," Eric looked at his companion with a frown, "you know that. We've been in Texas for two years now. Remember?"
"Yeah ... sorry," the flustered man shook his head trying to think clearly as images of Andys' shattered skull played on screen before his eyes, "been one of those days. Don't mind me. So where are ye staying?"
"Holiday Inn," Danny replied, "we were thinking of hitting the town tonight. You up for it?"
"Sorry," Conrad looked at his friends, "working a double shift. How about tomorrow night?"
"Yeah," Eric agreed with a nod without needing to consult, "it will be good to catch up. We'll let you get back to work."
"Okay," Conrad led the way out as his pager beeped, "we'll talk tomorrow. I'll give ye a call," he headed off at a run.
"Great see you then!" Eric called after him and he raised a hand with a thumb up but kept going.

Watching their friend depart at a run the men shared their concerns as they headed out past security.

"Damn," Eric shook his head, "knew he was going to be upset but he seems rattled."
"Excuse me," Steven and Mark had overheard the conversation, "we couldn't help but hear some of your conversation."
"And?" Eric asked in a cold voice, not appreciating the interruption.
"I gather ye knew his friend who ...... died the other day?" Steven hastened to ask.
"Yeah," this time Danny spoke, just as coldly.
"Well we just thought ye should know he spoke to Dr. Hawkins before he ...," Mark trailed off.
"You mean Andy did it here?" Danny asked in shock.
"Yeah but he seemed surprised to see Dr. Hawkins here," Steven added.
"Hell!" Eric was upset knowing their friend would take on necessary guilt.
"We're only telling ye because he probably won't and we happen to think a lot of him," Mark looked at the two men seriously, "Dr. Hawkins had said goodbye to him and was after leaving for the night but then it looked like he remembered something and ran back in. A couple of minutes later we got a call to find your friend but unfortunately it was too late."
"Dammit," Eric cursed holding out a hand to shake hands with both Guards, "thanks friends. Conrad won't find out from us about this conversation."

Unaware he was a cause of concern the third year Resident had dealt with the patient he had been paged about then retreated to the on call room for some privacy. He leant back against the wall and forced himself to take deep slow breaths. Five minutes later he went back to work.

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The funeral, as befitted the ceremony, was held under dark skies reflecting the sombre occasion and as the small
crowd began to disperse the first droplets began to cascade down. Conrad had stood behind the seats of Fran and the twins with Eric and Danny on either side of him. Devon stood further back. His friend had not wanted him to attend but he had insisted.

Conrad had watched as the flag was folded twelve times until it became a triangle and was then handed over to the grieving widow. The former Soldiers had spent a couple of hours with the bereaved family the night before sharing fond memories. Tom and Max had been thrilled to hear of their fathers' adventures. During a lull in the conversation, at Erics' probing, Fran had explained that Andy had decided to leave the family home of his own accord. He did not trust himself around his family and he was afraid of hurting them. Despite her protests Andy had left. The widow had confirmed that although Andy filed for Divorce she never signed the papers. She said she always knew the real man and the war changed him irrevocably but she loved him as much as she ever had. This was not the story Andy had given but Conrad held his tongue. He had spoken to Fran in private at one point about what happened at the hospital, not realising his friends knew the background. His apology for not preventing his friend from jumping was met with a sad smile and a heartfelt denial that he had anything at all to apoligize for. She reminded him that Andy could never be deterred when he set himself on a course of action. He tried to accept her words knowing they were true but he still felt responsible. After leaving the family the friends had decided to have an early night for the funeral the next day.

As the torrential rains showered their umbrellas Conrad hugged Fran and the boys before they got into the limousine he had hired for them. They were headed to the airport after deciding not to stay on in Atlanta but had promised to return in a few months. Watching the farewell scene Devon stood several feet back with Eric and Danny, who had already said their goodbyes. He turned his attention to the two men.

"I'm guessing ye know Conrad well?" the younger man checked.
"You could say that," Eric answered sensing more than just a friendly enquiry.
"I'd like to hear about him."
"Why?" Danny frowned suspiciously as the limousine pulled away from the kerb.
"Because I want to help him," Devon answered honestly as they watched their friends' shoulders' slump momentarily before he straightened and headed back towards them.
"Well come with us now and we'll see how things go," Eric stated cryptically before turning to look at the former Medic approaching them, "come on we're going to get something to eat."
"Guys I ....," Conrad tried to think of an excuse not to go.
"Well our new friend here already agreed," Danny gestured to Devon "so we don't mind telling him about your exploits ourselves if you don't want to come with us."
"Don't you have work?" Conrad willed the first year Resident to lie.
"Nope," Devon grinned innocently, "you coming or not?"
"Guess I am," Conrad shook his head "otherwise these two will just make up wild stories."
"Knew you wanted to spend time with us!" Eric placed an arm around the younger mans' shoulders as they headed for the cars.

tbc