Metanoia | Chris Evans

3.1

"Miss Hayes," She hears as she's organising some paperwork in a folder at her desk, prompting her to look up. She sends the young lady standing just inside the doorway a wry smile, recognising her as one of the intern assistants. With her attention now obtained, the young woman continues. "Your presence is required in the main reception."

"Thank you - could you tell them I'll just be a moment? That I have an important matter to attend to first, and that I apologise for the wait?"

When the younger woman nods, Charlie politely dismisses her to pass on the message as she finishes up her task and closes the folder, bringing it with her as she leaves the office. She takes a short detour to drop off the folder first. She knocks on the door to her colleague's office before entering once she hears him calling out permission to enter.

"Luke, sorry for the impromptu visit-"

He cuts her off with a friendly smile, waving off the apology as the pair hug in greeting. "I don't mind - you're free to drop by anytime. We're friends, after all."

She nods, before holding out the file for him to take. "I thought it would be quicker to deliver it myself."

He takes it from her with a raised eyebrow, leaning back against his desk as he skims over it briefly before closing it again. "This the guy from the incident this morning?"

She nods. "He's quite the character from what I've heard, and according to his military record-"

"He's bordered on insubordination charges multiple times - it's all there. But," He drops the folder on the desk behind him before loosely crossing his arms and tipping his head to one side. "You're good at reading people, far beyond what is written down in black and white in their files, and I trust your gut, Charlotte."

"He's struggling - but what soldier that comes back from all of that doesn't have a tough time?" She goes with an obvious observation first, something that anyone would be able to tell, before continuing when Luke prompts her to. "Definitely showing signs of a form of PTSD though; flashbacks, erratic behaviour and moods, unexplainable episodes of pain and trembling. It's already been decided that he's not going to be seen on an outpatient basis, that he's being admitted."

He seems to agree. "In terms of treatment? You've been in his position, what helped?"

"He's going to be difficult to work with for a while, and I'd advise he isn't seen by any staff member alone, for their own safety. But I don't think he's consciously violent." She makes sure to point out. "Unfortunately, I already have something to attend to, which I should really get to. However, we can go over my own file tomorrow, if you're free, and highlight some treatments that worked and what is, in my opinion, and based on my experience, less likely to benefit him?"

He stands with a smile, "I have rounds in the afternoon but I'm free all morning. Please, feel free to drop by and we can definitely do that."

She agrees with the plan before the pair go their separate ways, him back to his work and her towards main reception. Approaching the desk, she politely greets the receptionist with a smile.

"Good afternoon, Emily. How are you doing?"

The other woman smiles. "It's been a relatively quiet start to my shift, so that's good. I heard you've had quite the morning though."

"It's been eventful, to put it lightly." Charlie shrugs tiredly. "Aside from that, I heard my presence was required here."

Emily smiles, motioning to the waiting area. "I've been told to inform you that your shift is over for the day - as a thank you for the extra hours you've been putting in - and you have some gentlemen waiting for you."

Charlie blinks, surprised at the news, before turning around to face the chairs in the waiting area. She shakes her head with a smile when she sees Sebastian and his husband relaxing in the chairs, waiting to be acknowledged - the former waving lazily with a smirk when their gazes meet. She turns briefly to thank Emily and say her goodbyes for the day, before making her way over to the two men who stand to greet her.

"Of all the days you could have chosen, you have impeccably horrible timing." She states, pulling back from her hug with Sebastian to hug his husband, Fabian, next.

"Good to know," The actor laughs before wrapping his arm around her waist as Fabian keeps one of his arms around her shoulder, the trio leaving the building together. "But, hopefully we can make your day slightly better?"

"That depends what you have in mind." She squints at the pair in suspicion.

"Nothing too fancy because we know that's not your thing," The younger of the two guys reassures. "But, it does require taking over your kitchen."

"Feel free," She states, nudging Fabian good-naturedly. "As long as it's you cooking, and not Seb, then I don't mind."

"Hey! I'm a good cook." The actor jumps in with a half-hearted protest, more for show than actual offence to what was said.

"With some meals," Charlie shrugs as Fabian nods in agreement. "Others are definitely still a work in progress."

He faux glares before giving up, and finally admitting under his breath that they have a point. When they reach the car, they separate. Sebastian opens the door for her to get in the passenger seat while Fabian goes around the car to the driver's side. Once she's seated, he shuts the door for her and gets in the back as Fabian starts the car up.

Sebastian continues conversation once they're out of the parking lot and onto the road. "So, where's Aslan today? I thought he went everywhere with you."

Charlie shakes her head. "Usually he does, but I asked Scott to pick him up a couple hours into my shift when things started to get busy."

"Busy?"

She nods, "At the time, it was just hectic so I couldn't tend to his needs if he needed to go out or something, which isn't fair to him."

"How was the rest of your shift? The receptionist said it was 'quite the morning'." Fabian joins in as they reach a traffic light.

"We had a new referral today, a young guy that isn't long back from overseas, for evaluation. One of the other guys, who meant well, asked him something about his tour in the army and we believe he got trapped in a flashback briefly. A violent flashback."

"Oh," Fabian grimaces, sharing a brief look with Sebastian in the rearview mirror. "Did anyone get hurt?"

She shakes her head immediately. "No, we're all trained how to handle the situation. Although, it helped that most of us present are veterans so overpowering someone to incapacitate them is what we're taught to do in our basic training."

"Other veterans work there too?"

"Some, but we had a group session this morning with some of our outpatients so a couple of them stepped in to help."

The guys nod in acceptance, before Sebastian reaches forward to squeeze her shoulder. "Well, bad day aside, hopefully we can make your late afternoon and evening a little bit more relaxing."

She smiles, patting his hand in thanks before looking back to Fabian as he speaks.

"Should we expect a furry friend at dinner tonight?"

"I think Scott took him to Chris' so I doubt it."

"Then let's go pick him up." Sebastian grins, getting out his phone to look up the directions.

"He'll be fine there, I'll get Scott to bring him back to me before I leave for work tomorrow." She jumps in before he can go through with it.

The two guys share another look before letting it go for now. They continue the drive to her house, Sebastian chattering about whatever subject comes to mind as the other two listen and chime in where appropriate to show they're still listening.