RvBÂ Platonic Week:Â Day 3 - Oct. 17 - Hurt/Comfort
âOh wow I just LOVE what youâve don with the place Donald!â Dr. Grey chirped entering the newly cleaned office. âOops sorry! Not Donald anymore.â She giggled. âGeneral Doyle.â She rasped out in an attempt to mimic a drill sergeant, all the while missing the mans overall discomfort at the title.
âyes well um I suppose it will takes us all someâŚgetting us toâŚ.I suppose.â The man formerly known as secretary Doyle replied unsure of everything. It was only last week that his commander was alive and kicking and this place filled to the brim with loose documents he refused to organize. And now he was dead, leaving Doyle little choice but to try and scavenge some information form what was left behind.Â
âYou know Donald the more I say it the more it kinda rolls off the tongue General Doyle, General Doyle, GENerAL DoYLeeeeee.â She began to sing and sometimes Doyle wondered just how much of this eccentricity was a coping mechanism. Emily hadnât always ben this way, at least not when they first met.Â
âEmily I just realized this but as of now you are the oldest friend I have.â This epiphany truly only hitting him now. âIt was um when General Conrad had to have his hand amputated due to infection, right?â That was the first general he had served under, but not the last.Â
âActually it was due to severe fifth degree burns from using an improperly calibrated weapon.â She corrected him in such a matter of fact way youâd think she was talking about something mundane. Though to her it was. âGeneral Roberts was the one who had her leg amputated due to infection.âÂ
âDo you remember everyone you treat?âÂ
âYep. One of the drawbacks to having a photographic memory I suppose.â
âDo you remember what it was like before?â
âBeforeâŚbefore this got soâŚ..mucked up.â
There was a moment of silence as she stood there the doctor staring at her new and terrified General. âA little yesâŚâ Her voice oddly serene.Â
âYes me as well, it gets a little foggier with each day though.â He confessed clutching his armored hands tightly on the desk. âSometimes I fear things will never be that way againâŚ.âÂ
âBut we mustnât let such thoughts bog us down, right?â A small bit of confidence brimming under the cowardly Generals voice. âKeep calm and carry on as they say.âÂ
âStatistically speaking sir, the war canât go on forever.â She replied giving his salute that with her voice and quick movements might have seemed a joke from anyone else, but from her entirely earnest.Â
âHaha yes um thank for the council EmilâŚ.um sorry Doctor Grey.â
The hospital was finally completed and for the first time in years the Doctor standing outside the freshly erected steps would have a proper place to conduct herself. But as excited new med students and seasoned doctors rushed passed her she stood there staring at a simple bronze plaque.Â
âI was right sir, the war didnât last forever.â She said softly, her armored hand gently brushing over the raised metal words. âItâs not quite back to how it was but close I just wishâŚ..you could have seen the end.â
âDoctor Grey! Arenât you suppose to give the opening speech inside?â Called a former subordinate of her on the battle field from inside.
âIâLL BE THERE!â She shouted rather childishly, thankful the helmet hid her tears. âGeez canât do a thing without me huh? But hey I told you General Doyle had a great ring to it!â She laughed leaving the plaque that read,Â
âThis hospital in loving dedication to General Donald Doyle. Leader, Soldier, but most importantly Friend.â