Torn [A Robert Downey Jr. Fan-Fic]

Chapter 7

I sat down in the supply closet, hiding in the corner as the tears fell on my knees.

I sobbed and tried to wipe them away.

First, I had a fight with my dad about his alcohol abuse and then Elsa almost got lost. Luckily, Nathan has found her. I would not have known what to do if...

Suddenly, someone opened the door.

I looked up and stared into his warm brown golden sparkled eyes.

Quickly, I wiped away the last tears and forced myself to smile.

"Every time you find me I'm crying", I mumbled jokingly, "You surely think I'm a huge crybaby."

"Noway", he countered and sat down right next to me.

"Tissue?", he offered me.

I laughed.

"Thanks", I said and grabbed the one he held in his hands.

"So, would you like to tell me what happened?", he asked carefully.

"I think you already have enough to do", I mumbled and looked down, "Besides, you're my boss. I can't talk about my private problems with you..."

"Well, right now I am your friend. You can tell me anything you want", he offered and smiled at me.

"Since when did we become friends?", I asked curiously and looked at him.

He stared at me in disbelief.

"Well, since yesterday I think", he answered in a serious tone, "You remember? We had dinner, talked about life and our problems. We are friends."

"If you say that", I agreed smirkingly.

"I insist!"

Immediately, I started to laugh.

"So, you're not going to tell me?"

I sighed.

"I had a fight with my dad", I said finally, "My mother has died one year ago and he just can't live without her. I really understand what he's going through but..."

"May I interrupt you right here?"

"Sure, my friend", I said and smiled at him.

"No matter what, leave him! If he needs more time, leave him!", he explained, "Trust me, I now what I'm talking about. And although you just want to help him he can't understand. Just give him some more time and you'll see, everything will be just fine."

I stared at him intensely. He really seemed to know what he was talking about.

"Permission to ask you a question?", I wanted to know.

"Ask me!", he replied smirkingly.

"When did you start drinking?", I asked carefully.

"You're very good at observing, Missus", he mumbled.

"I'm trying", I mumbled quietly.

"I started ten years ago", he explained and looked up to the ceiling, "My marriage was screwed up and it made me feel better..."

"I'm sorry", I apologized.

"No, it's okay", he countered, "But to make you feel better, I promise, I'm a reformed alcoholic since three years. I'd never enter an OR if I was drunk."

"Okay", I said and smiled at him, "I didn't expect anything else."

He smiled back at me and his eyes crinkled once more.

"I trust you", I admitted and playfully punched his shoulder, "We're friends. Remember?"

He smiled from one ear to another.

"Sure", he replied and suddenly jumped up again, "Let's go now!"

I got up and followed him as he exited the supply room.

"Ah, Dr. Stark!", I heard Danny's voice and turned around.

"Dr. Williams", Nathan said in surprise.

"Kate told me what you've done for us", Danny continued as I walked over to him and he gently laid his arm around my shoulder, "And I'd like to thank you for that."

"Oh, that's okay", Nathan countered and half smiled, "I'm glad I could help."

"We're deeply indebted to you!"

Nathan smiled at him.

"Kate, you should go home for the rest of the day", he added, "I'll stay and take care of your patients."

At this time, I was thankful for his words. I was more thankful than I could ever show. But something told me he already knew.