Kenpachi’s Handler

It wasn’t one of the staff, he’d long since memorized all of their natural scents and could pick them out blindfolded. No, this was new. He shrugged, figuring it must belong to a patient even as his instincts were screaming at him to find the source. He stretched his neck then shook it off. He had work to do.

“Forget it,” he muttered to himself and went back to the chart.

Twenty minutes later he was discussing next steps with a patient that Nazely was working on. The college kid had tripped over his own feet in his drunkenness and cracked his head on a concrete planter. The scent came again, stronger this time. He paused then turned, scanning the immediate area. No one but him, Dr. Toomarian and the drunk frat boy. The scent lingered then faded and Jack returned to the conversation.

When he left the room, he tried to track it down but nothing. Then he was called away for a consult on a case. The scent hit him again at the hub while he was scanning the board. He stopped, one hand on the counter and inhaled. There. Faint but unmistakable. It pulled at every instinct he had. He straightened, ran a hand through his hair and did a slow lap around the department. He caught traces of it again once or twice but nothing more.

“I’m losing my fucking mind,” he said then ran a hand over his face.

Midnight came and went. Jack stood at the hub reviewing test results for the patient in Twelve. Parker slid up beside him, her arm brushing his as she reached for a tablet.

The scent hit like a punch to the solar plexus.

He went completely still. It was coming from Parker. The same scent that had been driving him quietly crazy for hours and it had been right there with his senior resident all along.

He cleared his throat.

She glanced at him, brow lifting. “You okay, boss?”

“Yeah.” His voice came out rough and he cleared his throat again. “Fine. Just—” He hesitated a moment. “Are you wearing perfume?”

Parker blinked as genuine surprise crossed her features. “No, of course not. Why?”

Jack crossed his arms over his chest. “This scent has been driving me crazy for the whole shift. It seems to be coming from you but I know it’s not yours. Maybe I am going crazy.”

Parker glanced down at herself. Her gaze catching on the faded hoodie she was wearing. Her expression shifted and a slow smirk crossed her face that Jack did not like at all.

“Sorry,” she said, not sounding apologetic in the least. “Must be the hoodie. I’ll stash it in my locker.”

She peeled the article of clothing off in one smooth motion and headed for the locker room. She looked just a little too pleased with herself. Jack stood at the hub, teeth clenched, and watched her walk away.

Parker closed the locker room door behind her and chuckled lowly. She’d been in a hurry tonight and had grabbed the first jacket she’d seen. It just so happened that the one she picked up was the one you’d worn yesterday. It wouldn’t be the first time it had happened in the years you’d been first friends, then roommates. Though normally it was you stealing her clothes rather than the other way around.

Parker folded the hoodie and put it in her bag inside her locker then she pulled out her phone to send you a quick text. You’d still be working but she knew you’d get it when you got off and could check your phone.

Hey roomie. Bring me food? Please? I’ll love you forever. You’ll have to bring it in though. Busy night.

She always met you outside when you brought her anything during shift. It was about time her colleagues met you. She smirked, locked her phone and headed back to the floor.

The night was young and it was about to get a whole lot more interesting.

You peeled the last of your suppressant patches off as you walked through the casino parking garage, wincing as the adhesive tugged at your skin. The things itched like crazy and you always removed them the moment you stepped outside of the building. You tossed them in a nearby trash can without much thought. You rolled your shoulders as you shook off the sensory overload that was your place of employment. Too many people crammed in too small of a space with overly bright lights and the clamoring noise of the slot machines.

You waited until you got into your car to check your phone, not wanting the distraction in the dimly lit garage. You cleared your notifications, snorting in amusement when you saw Parker’s text. The last thing you wanted to do after your shift was to go into the hospital, but she rarely asked. And lord knows she’d ran enough weird errands for you over the years.

Food options were limited this time of night, but between you and Parker, you’d found them all. Your favorite was the food truck that served nothing but mac and cheese. Yes, please. You ordered for both of you then got back in the car and made the short drive to PTMC.

This time of morning, the waiting area was emptier and the line was short. You held up the bag when you got to the window. “I come bearing food for Dr. Ellis.”

She smiled. “She told me you were coming. Go on back. Head for the big desk in the middle of the floor. They’ll find her for you.” The door to the right buzzed and you pushed through.

The desk was easy to find. You sat the bag on the counter and waited for the woman on the phone to acknowledge you. She held up a finger, finished her conversation and looked at you with a smile. “How can I help you, hon?”

“I’m looking for Parker Ellis. I brought her food.”

Her smile turned into something less customer service. “And how do you know our Dr. Ellis?”

“Roommate/besties,” you said with a grin.

“Well, you’re fine to wait there. She’s in with a patient but she should be out in a minute.”

“Thanks.” You tapped your hand softly on the counter as you bounced your foot. You were always wound up after a shift. You caught movement from the corner of your eye and turned your head.

A man had left a room a short distance away and stopped in his tracks. You ran your gaze over him, taking in the auburn hair scattered amongst the gray curls. He wasn’t overly tall and his build suggested he spent time in the gym. He was just your type from head to toe.

You checked his neck first. Finding no mating bite, you looked at his hand. Wedding ring. Damn. You made the mental adjustment you needed at knowing he was unavailable. It was disappointing, but not surprising. You were just dropping off food for your roommate and the attractive doctor was—

The attractive doctor with the wedding ring was staring at you.

His jaw worked, but his eyes didn’t move from your form. He stepped closer until one hand gripped the edge of the counter a short distance from you.

“Ah, Dr. Abbot. This is Parker’s roommate. This is our senior night shift attending.”

Parker’s boss. She’d mentioned him before, several times in fact. “Hi,” you said because it seemed like the thing to say.

Abbot opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.

“Hi,” he said finally. His voice was rough, lower than you’d expected.

You couldn’t stop the small shiver that crawled up your spine. Fuck.

That delectable scent he’d smelled all night until Parker ditched her hoodie slammed into Jack the moment he opened the door to the patient room he’d been in. His head snapped up as he sanitized his hands absently, zeroing in on you standing at the hub.

The small sampling he’d had earlier had nothing on you here in person. My god, you smelled delectable. There was no question in his mind that you were his Omega. He forced himself forward, one step, then two, until he was holding onto the counter.

He didn’t know how to go about this, how to broach the subject. His wife had been a beta, there was no need to have the ‘hey, you’re my mate’ conversation. Did he just…tell you? No, that didn’t seem right.

He vaguely registered Lena introducing you as Parker’s roommate. He managed to stutter out a greeting but before he could say anything else, Parker appeared from the room she’d been in for the last ten minutes. She zeroed in on you and pulled you into a hug.

Jack’s hands flexed at his sides as he reminded himself that Parker wasn’t a threat and that you had no idea who the fuck he was.

Parker draped an arm across your shoulders. “You are a goddess.”

You hummed in agreement. “Fat Cats.”

She groaned. “I owe you my first born. Maybe my second, too.”

“I’d be concerned about being saddled with your random children but I know you don’t want kids.”

Parker laughed then turned to Jack with a smirk. “See you met my roommate, boss.”

Jack huffed. “You could have just told me.”

She shrugged. “Could have. Didn’t. This is so much more fun.”

Your brow furrowed as you looked between the two of them. The look of confusion was absurdly endearing. “Am I missing something?”

Jack was at a loss for words which was entirely unlike him. Parker grinned wider and turned to you. “Dr. Abbot here would love to take you to breakfast. And you want to let him.”

Silence stretched for a beat before the two of you spoke in unison. “I do?”

Jack’s head snapped to you to find you already looking back. The corner of his mouth lifted in a small smile. “I mean…I do. After shift?”

You glanced at Parker. She gave a small, deliberate nod.

“Sure. I can do breakfast, I guess, if Parker’s gonna be weird.” Your gaze dropped to his left hand, to the ring he hadn’t been able to bring himself to remove. “Your wife will be okay with that?”

“Widower,” he said, deciding it best to just be blunt.

You blinked once, glanced to Parker who nodded again before you looked back to him. “Sure. Breakfast sounds good. I can meet you here, I was picking Parker up anyway.”

He nodded, hoping the surge of happiness he felt wasn’t completely evident on his face. He should have a little decorum dammit. “I’ll meet you by the bay door?”

“Yeah, sure. Parker can let me know if you’re running late.”

So, you didn’t want to give him your number yet. He understood that. After all, you didn’t know what he did, his suppressants firmly in place. “I’m looking forward to it.”

You gave him a small smile at that. “See ya, doc. Parker.” The narrow-eyed look you shot Parker had him chuckling.

You’d no sooner gotten out of sight when Parker’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and laughed as she typed. “Her exact words? ‘What the fuck was that?’”

Jack crossed his arms and shifted his weight. “And what did you say?”

“I told her to trust me.” She put her phone away and grabbed the bag. “Now I am going to eat at least part of this before I get called away again.”

Jack’s gaze trailed her as she walked toward the break room. She turned around part way there. “Oh, and Abbot? She my not be my mate, but she’s my person. Don’t hurt her.”

He held Parker’s gaze, sure and steady. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

You waited near the bay doors, off to the side where you’d be out of the way. A couple of people going inside had glanced in your direction but kept walking without questioning you. You must look harmless enough for them to leave you alone. You tapped your foot as you wondered if this was really a good idea or not. You’d dwelled on it all night, your brain circling back to the odd conversation with Parker and her boss that you seemed to be missing a piece to.

The door hissed open and you glanced up to see Parker stepping out. She had your hoodie thrown over the top of her scrubs. She gave you one of her famous grins and waved, car keys in hand. You hadn’t given much though on how you were supposed to get home  after this…date? Yeah, you supposed it was. Dammit, Parker.

She didn’t stop to talk to you, just calling back. “He’ll be out in a minute. You can thank me later.”

You stared after her, shaking your head. “I’m going to murder you. Slowly,” you yelled after her.

Her laugh floated back to you. “You’re welcome!”

You were still shaking your head, mouth curled into a crooked smile when the scent reached you. Rich, citrusy with a hint of cedar. Alpha. Yours.

You inhaled deeply and turned your head slowly to the side to find Jack Abbot standing a few feet away.

The scrub top was gone, leaving him in a fitted gray t-shirt. His curls were damp around his face, like he’d splashed water on it before coming out. He gave you a real smile. Not the small one you’d seen earlier. A wide, careless gesture that crinkled the skin around his eyes.

“Oh,” you said. That was inadequate but you were still processing that this was your Alpha. Yours. And Parker had obviously known and let you walk in blind. Damn her.

Finally, you said, “Hi.”

“Hi,” he echoed as his warm gaze took you in. He held out a hand, not in greeting but rather in invitation.

You took it, his touch everything you needed as he laced your fingers together.

Jack ignored him and kept his attention on you. “You have a trouble face.”

You gasped and pressed a hand harder against your chest. “My face is beautiful.”

Jack’s mouth twitched. “It can be two things.”

Mateo stepped closer and eyed the case. “What’s in there?”

You immediately brightened again. “I’m so glad you asked.”

Jack let out a long sigh. “Here we go.”

Crus found whatever he had been searching for and straightened. “I don’t like how happy she is.”

Jack nodded toward you. “You shouldn’t.”

You shot him a look. “You’re supposed to support my interests.”

Jack folded his arms across his chest. “I support plenty of your interests.”

You lifted your brows. “Name three.”

Jack’s eyes flicked over you before settling back on your face. “Not at work.”

Mateo coughed into his coffee.

Crus grimaced. “Jesus.”

Shen turned away and shook his head. “And yet somehow I’m the problem on this shift.”

You pointed at Jack. “Behave.”

Jack gave you an innocent look. “I didn’t say anything.”

You narrowed your eyes at him. “You were about to.”

Jack tipped his head. “I was answering the question.”

You pointed at him. “You looked me up and down before you answered.”

Jack’s expression stayed perfectly calm. “That sounds like your interpretation.”

You stared at him. “My interpretation?”

His mouth twitched. “Your mind went there. Not mine.”

Shen glanced between the two of you. “For the record, his mind absolutely went there.”

Jack looked at him. “No one asked you.”

You stared at Jack for another second before deciding he was not worth the detour.

Yet.

You turned back to the case with a grin. “Gentlemen, I have brought you an educational opportunity.”

Shen immediately took one step backward. “No.”

You looked up at him. “I haven’t even shown you what it is.”

Shen shook his head without hesitation. “Doesn’t matter.”

Crus glanced at him and scoffed. “Coward.”

Shen pointed at the case. “She called it an educational opportunity while smiling like a supervillain.”

You looked offended. “That is incredibly hurtful.”

Shen nodded toward Jack. “He called it a trouble face.”

You waved a hand toward Jack. “He’s my boyfriend. He’s biased.”

Jack’s eyebrows rose. “In your favor, usually.”

You opened the case fully and pulled out the small TENS-style unit with its wires and adhesive pads.

Mateo leaned in closer. “Oh, shit.”

Crus immediately grinned. “Is that one of those period simulator things?”

You held it up proudly. “Yes.”

Jack spoke from behind you. “No.”

You slowly turned your head toward him. “No what?”

Jack nodded toward the machine. “That is not a period simulator.”

Mateo glanced at him. “You haven’t even tried it.”

Jack looked at Mateo like the objection offended him personally. “I don’t need to try it to know what it is.”

You leaned one hip against the workstation. “Okay, doctor. What is it?”

Jack gave you a look that said he knew perfectly well what you were doing. “A TENS unit.”

You lifted your brows encouragingly. “Good.”

Jack gestured toward the wires. “It provides transcutaneous electrical stimulation.”

You nodded. “Also good.”

Jack continued, already slipping into lecture mode. “It can cause abdominal muscle contraction and discomfort.”

You smiled at him. “Look at you.”

Jack’s jaw shifted. “It does not recreate menstruation.”

You smiled sweetly. “I never said it perfectly recreated menstruation.”

Jack pointed toward the device. “You called it a period simulator.”

You shrugged. “Loose definition.”

Shen covered his mouth, visibly trying not to laugh.

Jack looked over at him. “Don’t.”

Shen lowered his hand. “I didn’t say anything.”

Mateo picked up one of the unused pads. “How high does it go?”

You checked the controls. “Ten.”

Crus answered immediately. “I’ll do ten.”

You snapped your head toward him. “Absolutely not.”

Crus frowned. “Why?”

You stared at him. “Because I’m trying to prove a point, not induce a religious experience.”

Mateo laughed into his coffee.

Jack shook his head. “This is ridiculous.”

You turned toward him. “You seem nervous.”

Jack’s entire face changed.

Shen quietly muttered under his breath, “There it is.”

Jack glanced toward him. “What?”

Shen raised both hands. “Nothing.”

You smiled at Jack. “It’s okay, honey. You don’t have to do it.”

Jack stared at you.

Mateo leaned toward Crus and lowered his voice. “She’s evil.”

Crus nodded without taking his eyes off the two of you. “Oh, yeah.”

Jack uncrossed his arms. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t do it.”

You widened your eyes. “Really? Because you’ve been standing over there giving a lecture about methodology.”

Jack pointed toward the machine. “I was correcting terminology.”

You tilted your head. “You’re a physician.”

Jack’s expression turned almost offended. “I am.”

You nodded solemnly. “You understand periods.”

Jack stared at you. “Yes.”

You spread your hands. “Then this should be easy.”

Shen stepped farther away from the workstation.

Jack noticed the movement. “Where are you going?”

Shen pointed toward the unit. “Away from whatever happens next.”

You turned toward him. “You’re really not trying it?”

Shen shook his head immediately. “Absolutely not.”

Crus scoffed. “Coward.”

Shen looked at him. “I respect the hell out of women. I don’t need to experience cramps personally to believe they hurt.”

You pointed at Shen approvingly. “See? This is growth.”

Shen put a hand over his heart. “Thank you.”

Jack rolled his eyes. “That’s not growth. That’s self-preservation.”

Shen nodded. “Those things can coexist.”

Mateo set his coffee down. “I’ll do it.”

You spun toward him. “Really?”

Mateo shrugged. “Yeah. I’m curious.”

Crus immediately stepped forward. “Then I’m doing it too.”

You looked between them. “Why did that become competitive?”

Crus answered without hesitation. “Because he said yes first.”

Mateo frowned at him. “That doesn’t make sense.”

Crus shrugged. “Doesn’t have to.”

You grinned and started separating the wires. “Perfect.”

Jack watched your hands. “You planned this.”

You glanced over your shoulder. “I hoped.”

Jack nodded toward the extra supplies in the case. “You brought enough pads for multiple people.”

You smiled brightly. “I’m an optimist.”

Jack’s mouth flattened. “You’re a menace.”

You smiled at him. “And yet you love me.”

Jack didn’t even hesitate. “Unfortunately.”

Your smile softened for half a second before you held up the first set of pads. “Mateo, shirt.”

Mateo blinked at you. “You could at least buy me dinner first.”

You pointed toward Jack. “Careful. He gets jealous.”

Jack looked back at the chart. “No, I don’t.”

Crus snorted.

Shen shook his head. “Sure.”

Jack lifted his head and looked around the workstation. “Do any of you have patients?”

No one moved.

Jack stared at all of you. “Unbelievable.”

You laughed and motioned Mateo closer. “Come on. We’ll start low.”

Mateo lifted the hem of his shirt while you positioned the adhesive pads across his lower abdomen.

Crus watched closely. “Where do they go?”

You pressed the second pad into place. “Lower abdomen, roughly where the cramping would hit.”

Jack spoke from behind you. “Again, not actually where—”

You turned your head sharply. “Jack.”

Jack stopped mid-sentence.

You gave him a warning look.

Jack raised both hands. “I’m done.”

Shen glanced at him. “That was quick.”

Jack muttered, “I’m choosing peace.”

You connected the wires and stepped back.

Mateo looked down at himself. “This feels medically questionable.”

Jack answered immediately. “It isn’t.”

You looked over at Jack.

Jack sighed. “The device itself is fine.”

You smiled. “Thank you, doctor.”

Jack narrowed his eyes. “Don’t start.”

You turned the machine on. “Level one.”

Mateo’s brows lifted slightly before he shrugged. “Nothing.”

Crus leaned against the counter. “Weak.”

You increased the setting. “Two.”

Mateo’s stomach twitched faintly.

He looked down at the pads. “Okay. I feel that.”

You smiled and increased it again. “Three.”

Mateo sucked in a breath.

Crus’s grin widened.

Shen watched from several feet away with the relaxed posture of a man who had made an excellent decision.

Mateo laughed once, a little nervously. “That’s weird.”

You glanced at him. “Bad?”

Mateo shook his head. “No. Just weird.”

You turned it up again. “Four.”

Mateo’s hand went immediately to the edge of the workstation.

Crus pointed at him. “Oh.”

Mateo glared across the counter. “Shut up.”

Crus laughed. “You grabbed the counter.”

Mateo straightened defensively. “I adjusted my stance.”

Shen nodded solemnly. “Sure.”

You bit back a smile. “Five?”

Mateo hesitated.

Crus immediately gestured toward the machine. “Do it.”

Mateo looked at him. “You’re next.”

Crus spread his hands. “Fine.”

Mateo turned back to you and nodded. “Five.”

You increased it.

Mateo went completely silent.

His eyes widened.

Then he stared down at the pads.

Mateo gestured helplessly at his stomach. “Oh, what the fuck is that?”

You burst out laughing.

Jack’s mouth twitched despite himself.

You shrugged. “Welcome to the general neighborhood.”

Jack immediately lifted one finger. “Very general.”

You turned toward him. “Would you like to demonstrate how much more informed you are?”

Jack looked at you without answering.

You smiled.

Shen made a quiet sound somewhere between a laugh and a warning.

Jack pointed at you. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

You nodded happily. “Immensely.”

Mateo reached for the machine. “Okay. I’m good.”

You switched it off immediately.

Mateo exhaled and peeled one of the pads away.

Crus was already moving forward. “My turn.”

You looked at him. “Still feeling confident?”

Crus lifted his shirt. “Very.”

Mateo stepped aside. “I hope you suffer.”

Crus smiled at him. “You made it to five.”

Mateo nodded. “Yeah.”

Crus tapped his stomach. “I’ll do six.”

Shen shook his head. “Men are fascinating.”

Jack nodded once. “Idiots.”

You glanced at him. “You are also a man.”

Jack gave you a flat look. “I’m aware.”

You pointed toward the machine. “And you’re doing it after Crus.”

Jack’s brows rose. “I am?”

You gave him the sweetest smile you could manage.

Jack stared at you for a long moment.

Then he looked at the machine.

Then at Mateo, who was still rubbing his stomach.

Then at Crus, already volunteering his abdomen to science.

Finally, Jack looked back at you.

His eyes narrowed.

Jack pointed at you. “You set me up.”

You beamed at him. “Obviously.”

Crus snorted as you started fixing the pads to his lower abdomen. “You really walked right into that one.”

Jack looked at him. “You’re currently volunteering to be electrocuted for entertainment.”

Crus glanced down at the wires hanging from his stomach. “Still feels like I’m making better choices than you.”

Shen leaned against the far side of the workstation. “Objectively, yes.”

Jack gave him a flat look. “You’re very comfortable for someone who refused to participate.”

Shen folded his arms. “I made peace with my limitations.”

You finished pressing the last pad into place and stepped back. “Ready?”

Crus nodded once. “Do it.”

Mateo moved closer again, apparently recovered enough to enjoy someone else’s suffering. “Start him at five.”

You shook your head. “Absolutely not.”

Crus frowned. “Why not?”

You reached for the controls. “Because unlike all of you, I have common sense.”

Jack made a quiet sound of disbelief.

You glanced over at him. “Would you like to say something?”

Jack lifted his brows. “Not if you’re claiming common sense.”

You pointed the control unit at him. “You’re getting extra levels for that.”

Jack’s mouth twitched. “That’s not how informed consent works.”

Shen nodded toward Jack. “He’s right about that one.”

You looked at Shen. “Whose side are you on?”

Shen gestured toward himself. “Mine.”

You turned back to Crus and adjusted the machine. “Level one.”

Crus barely reacted. “Nothing.”

You increased it. “Two.”

Crus looked down at his stomach. “Yeah, okay.”

Mateo grinned. “Just wait.”

You tapped the control again. “Three.”

Crus’s abdomen tightened visibly. His brows drew together.

You watched his face. “Still good?”

Crus nodded. “Fine.”

Mateo folded his arms. “You look less fine than you sound.”

Crus glanced at him. “You tapped out at five.”

Mateo pointed at the machine. “And I learned something.”

Shen nodded approvingly. “Growth.”

Mateo looked at him. “Thank you.”

You increased the setting. “Four.”

Crus sucked in a breath through his nose.

Jack noticed immediately. His gaze flicked from Crus’s face to the machine.

Crus rolled one shoulder like he could physically shake off the sensation. “That’s annoying.”

You smiled. “Annoying?”

Crus nodded. “Yeah.”

Mateo laughed. “Give it a minute.”

You raised it again. “Five.”

Crus’s hand landed on the edge of the workstation.

Mateo pointed immediately. “There it is.”

Crus shot him a look. “Shut up.”

You bit back a smile. “Still feeling cocky?”

Crus straightened slightly. “Six.”

Mateo’s eyebrows went up. “Oh, he’s stupid.”

Shen nodded. “Very.”

Jack glanced toward Crus. “You don’t have to prove anything.”

Crus looked at him. “You scared for me, Doc?”

Jack’s expression went blank. “No.”

You looked at Jack and smiled sweetly. “That almost sounded caring.”

Jack pointed toward Crus. “If he passes out, I’m making you explain why.”

Crus scoffed. “I’m not gonna pass out.”

You looked back at the controls. “Famous last words.”

Crus exhaled slowly. “Six.”

You increased it.

His entire body went rigid.

Mateo’s face lit up.

Shen pushed off the workstation slightly.

Jack’s attention sharpened.

Crus stared straight ahead, jaw tight.

You waited a beat. “Well?”

Crus swallowed. “That sucks.”

Mateo burst out laughing. “That sucks?”

Crus looked at him. “I’m trying to maintain dignity.”

Shen gestured toward the pads on Crus’s stomach. “I think we left dignity behind several minutes ago.”

You reached for the controls. “Want me to turn it off?”

Crus nodded immediately. “Yep.”

You switched the unit off.

Crus exhaled hard and peeled one of the pads away. “Nope. Hate that.”

Mateo clapped him once on the shoulder. “Welcome back.”

Crus shoved his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”

You took the pads from him and turned toward Jack.

He was already watching you.

You smiled.

Jack shook his head once. “No.”

You held up the fresh pads. “You said you’d do it.”

Jack gestured toward Crus. “I said I didn’t say I wouldn’t.”

You blinked. “That sentence is embarrassing.”

Shen nodded thoughtfully. “She’s got you there.”

Jack looked at him. “I’m going to remember how much you’ve enjoyed this.”

Shen smiled. “I’ll live with the consequences.”

You stepped closer to Jack. “Come on.”

Jack looked down at the pads in your hand.

Then back at you.

You softened your voice just enough to be obnoxious. “Scared, Jack?”

Jack’s eyes narrowed.

Mateo muttered, “Oh, she did it again.”

Crus nodded. “He has to now.”

Jack looked around at all three of them. “You understand none of you are helping.”

Shen shrugged. “We’re helping her.”

Jack looked back at you. “Fine.”

Your smile widened.

Jack pointed at you before you could celebrate. “But if you turn that thing straight to ten, I’m leaving you.”

You placed a hand over your heart. “You think so little of me.”

Jack stared at you.

You sighed. “Fine. I won’t.”

Jack’s expression suggested that promise had not reassured him at all.

You stepped closer with the fresh pads as Jack lifted the hem of his scrub top, exposing his stomach.

You stopped.

Jack looked down at you. “Are we gonna do this?”

Your eyes drifted over the exposed line of his abdomen. “Give me a minute.”

Jack’s brows lifted. “A minute?”

You smiled up at him. “I’m enjoying the view.”

Mateo made a quiet choking sound behind you.

Jack’s mouth curved, pleased despite himself. “Take your time.”

You peeled the backing from the first pad. “Oh, I plan to.”

Jack shook his head, but the smile stayed.

You pressed the first pad low against his abdomen, then reached for the second.

As you positioned it, you let one finger trail briefly along the skin just above the waistband of his scrub pants.

Jack’s stomach tightened beneath your touch.

His eyes dropped to yours.

You gave him an innocent smile. “What?”

Jack’s voice lowered. “You know what.”

You smoothed the pad into place. “I’m just making sure it sticks.”

Jack glanced toward your hand. “With your finger in my waistband?”

You pulled your hand away. “Adjacent to your waistband.”

Shen sighed from the other side of the workstation. “I regret staying for this.”

Jack kept his eyes on you. “You started this.”

You connected the wires with a grin. “And now I’m finishing it.”

Crus groaned. “Can we please electrocute him already?”

Mateo laughed. “This is gonna end well.”

You stepped back with the control unit. “Ready?”

Jack lowered his shirt just enough to leave the leads accessible. “Go.”

You turned the machine on. “Level one.”

Jack didn’t react.

You watched him. “Anything?”

Jack shook his head. “Barely.”

You increased it. “Two.”

Jack’s expression stayed neutral. “Fine.”

Crus folded his arms. “He’s gonna be insufferable.”

Shen nodded. “He already is.”

Jack looked at both of them. “I can hear you.”

You turned it up again. “Three.”

Jack glanced down at his abdomen. “Mild contraction.”

Mateo snorted. “Of course he’s narrating it.”

Jack looked at him. “Would you prefer screaming?”

Mateo shrugged. “Eventually.”

You smiled and raised the setting. “Four.”

Jack’s jaw tightened slightly.

Very slightly.

But you saw it.

So did Mateo.

Mateo immediately pointed. “There.”

Jack looked at him. “There what?”

Mateo grinned. “You felt that.”

Jack’s expression flattened. “Obviously I felt it. That’s the purpose of the device.”

Crus laughed. “He’s getting defensive.”

Jack looked at you. “Five.”

You blinked. “You sure?”

Jack nodded once. “Yeah.”

You increased it.

The change was immediate.

Jack went still.

Not dramatically.

Just enough that his shoulders tightened and one hand settled against the workstation.

You watched him closely. “Okay?”

Jack nodded after a beat. “Yeah.”

Shen glanced at his hand. “You’re bracing.”

Jack looked at him. “I’m standing.”

Shen nodded. “With emotional support from the counter.”

You bit your lip to keep from laughing.

Jack looked at you. “Don’t.”

You failed immediately.

Jack shook his head. “Very supportive girlfriend.”

You smiled. “I’m doing my best.”

Jack glanced down at the machine. “What level did Mateo stop at?”

Mateo raised a hand. “Five.”

Jack nodded once. “Makes sense.”

Mateo stared at him. “You’re literally holding onto the desk.”

Jack’s grip loosened immediately. “I’m not.”

Crus laughed. “Oh, this is great.”

You looked at Jack. “Six?”

Jack’s eyes met yours.

You could see the calculation happening.

Pride.

Curiosity.

And the deeply unfortunate fact that everyone was watching him.

Jack nodded. “Six.”

You raised the setting.

His entire abdomen tightened.

Jack sucked in a sharp breath.

His hand came back down onto the counter.

Harder this time.

Mateo made a delighted noise. “There it is.”

Jack closed his eyes briefly. “Shut up.”

Crus grinned. “That one got you.”

Jack opened his eyes and looked at you.

You were still smiling, but not quite as smugly now.

Jack’s brow furrowed. “This is six?”

You nodded. “Yeah.”

Jack glanced down at the pads, then back at you. “You get cramps like this?”

You shrugged. “Pretty regularly.”

Something in Jack’s face changed.

The teasing drained out of it.

He looked at you more carefully. “Regularly?”

You nodded. “First day can be around there.”

Jack stared at you. “You work like this?”

You gave him a small smile. “Sometimes.”

Jack’s brow furrowed deeper. “You’ve worked a twelve-hour shift feeling like this?”

You nodded again. “More than once.”

Crus rubbed his stomach and muttered, “That’s fucked.”

You pointed toward him. “Thank you.”

Jack barely seemed to hear either of you.

His eyes stayed on your face.

Jack’s voice dropped. “You’ve run traumas like this?”

You shrugged. “Yeah.”

Jack looked genuinely appalled. “And you just keep working?”

You laughed softly. “What else am I supposed to do?”

Jack stared at you for another second.

Then he looked down at the machine.

His jaw set.

Jack nodded once. “Seven.”

Your eyebrows shot up. “Jack.”

He looked at you. “You said it gets worse.”

You folded your arms. “That does not mean you need to prove anything.”

Jack shook his head. “I’m not proving anything.”

Mateo leaned toward Shen. “He is absolutely proving something.”

Shen nodded. “Mostly to himself.”

Jack pointed at both of them. “You're still within throwing distance.”

You looked back at Jack. “You really want seven?”

Jack nodded. “Yeah.”

You sighed and reached for the controls. “Fine.”

Jack braced himself.

You smiled sweetly. “Ready, doctor?”

Jack narrowed his eyes. “Just do it.”

You raised the setting to seven.

The reaction was immediate.

Jack’s entire body locked.

His shoulders went rigid, his jaw clenched, and the hand already braced against the workstation tightened hard enough that his knuckles went pale.

Mateo leaned forward. “Oh, shit.”

Jack squeezed his eyes shut for half a second. “Don’t.”

Crus pointed at him. “That one hurt.”

Jack opened his eyes and glared at him. “Thank you for the clinical assessment.”

Shen watched Jack from the safety of the workstation’s opposite side. “I continue to feel excellent about my decision.”

You kept one hand on the control unit and studied Jack’s face. “Want me to turn it down?”

Jack shook his head once. “No.”

You lifted your brows. “You sure?”

Jack exhaled slowly through his nose. “Yeah.”

Another contraction hit.

His stomach visibly tightened beneath the pads.

Jack’s mouth flattened.

You winced sympathetically. “That one looked rough.”

Jack looked at you.

His expression had lost almost all of its earlier amusement.

Jack’s brow furrowed. “And you’ve had worse than this.”

You gave a small shrug. “Yeah.”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “How much worse?”

You hesitated.

That caught his attention immediately.

Jack studied your face. “Why did you hesitate?”

You shifted your weight against the workstation. “Because I knew you were going to make that face.”

Jack gestured at himself. “What face?”

You pointed at him. “That one.”

Mateo looked between you. “Now I want to know.”

You sighed. “I’ve had cramps bad enough that I’ve thrown up.”

Jack went completely still.

Crus’s grin disappeared. “Seriously?”

You nodded. “Not every month.”

Jack stared at you. “You’ve vomited from period pain?”

You gave him a look. “You’re a physician. You know that happens.”

Jack’s jaw tightened. “I know it happens.”

You softened slightly. “Okay.”

Jack shook his head. “This is different.”

Shen glanced at him. “How?”

Jack looked at you instead of answering. “Because she’s my girlfriend.”

Your expression softened.

Mateo made a quiet sound behind his coffee cup.

Jack immediately looked toward him. “Don’t.”

Mateo raised one hand. “Didn’t say anything.”

You smiled despite yourself. “That was very sweet.”

Jack pointed at the machine. “I’m currently being tortured. Don’t make this about me.”

You laughed. “You literally just made it about you.”

Another contraction hit.

Jack bent slightly at the waist before catching himself.

Crus winced. “Damn.”

Jack straightened again. “How long does this level last?”

You glanced at the timer. “As long as I leave it there.”

Jack’s eyes snapped to yours. “That was not the answer I wanted.”

You grinned. “You asked.”

Shen folded his arms. “For someone who claims to understand periods, you seem surprised by the lack of an off switch.”

Jack looked at him. “There is literally an off switch.”

Shen nodded toward you. “Not biologically.”

Jack opened his mouth.

Then stopped.

His face changed again.

He looked at you. “You don’t get to turn it off.”

Your smile faded into something gentler. “Nope.”

For the first time since you brought the machine in, nobody immediately made a joke.

Jack looked down at the pads across his abdomen.

Another pulse rolled through him.

His fingers flexed against the workstation.

Then he looked back at you.

Jack’s voice was quieter. “And you still come to work.”

You shrugged. “Usually.”

His brow pulled together. “Usually?”

You nodded. “Sometimes I take a sick day if it’s really bad.”

Jack looked genuinely offended by the concept. “Sometimes?”

You laughed softly. “Jack, I can’t call out every month.”

His eyes stayed on yours. “Why not?”

You blinked. “Because I have a job?”

Jack gestured toward the machine. “This is a legitimate reason.”

Crus nodded slowly. “I’m with him now.”

Mateo rubbed his own stomach. “Same.”

Shen smiled faintly. “Look at all this growth happening without me suffering.”

Jack pointed at him without looking away from you. “You’re still annoying.”

Shen nodded. “I can live with that.”

You glanced down at the control unit. “You want eight?”

Jack looked at you like you had suggested amputation.

Then his pride visibly kicked back in.

You saw it happen.

Your eyes narrowed. “Don’t.”

Jack frowned. “Don’t what?”

You pointed at his face. “Whatever stupid thing you’re about to decide.”

Jack lifted his chin slightly. “Turn it up.”

You stared at him. “Jack.”

He held your gaze. “You said you’ve had worse.”

You shook your head. “That does not mean you need to experience worse.”

Jack shook his head. “I want to know.”

The answer took some of the teasing out of you.

You studied him for a second.

He was still braced against the workstation, still visibly uncomfortable, but there was no bravado in his face now.

Just curiosity.

And something softer.

You nodded once. “Okay.”

Mateo immediately leaned back. “Oh, no.”

Crus looked delighted again. “Eight.”

Shen shook his head. “This is where curiosity becomes poor judgment.”

Jack looked over at him. “You can leave.”

Shen smiled. “Absolutely not.”

You rested your thumb over the button. “Ready?”

Jack took a breath. “Yeah.”

You increased the setting.

Jack folded.

Not all the way.

But enough.

Both hands hit the workstation as his head dropped between his shoulders.

Mateo’s eyes widened. “Jesus.”

Crus winced in sympathy. “Okay, that looks awful.”

Jack stayed silent.

You immediately reached for the control. “I’m turning it down.”

Jack lifted one hand. “Wait.”

You froze. “Jack.”

He breathed through another contraction.

Then another.

His eyes closed.

You stepped closer. “Jack.”

Jack opened his eyes at the word.

You looked at him carefully. “Enough?”

He nodded immediately. “Yeah.”

You switched the machine off.

Jack sagged against the counter.

The entire workstation went silent for approximately two seconds.

Then Shen nodded thoughtfully. “I learned a lot.”

Jack slowly turned his head toward him. “You did nothing.”

Shen smiled. “I observed.”

Crus laughed.

Mateo clapped Jack lightly on the shoulder. “Proud of you, Doc.”

You disconnected the wires and started peeling the pads from his abdomen.

Jack looked down at you. “That’s miserable.”

You smiled. “Yeah.”

He watched you remove the last pad. “And that wasn’t even the whole thing.”

You shook your head. “Nope.”

Jack looked at you, still rubbing one hand over his abdomen. “So this, plus the lower-back pain.”

You nodded. “Yep.”

His brow furrowed deeper. “And the nausea.”

You shrugged a shoulder. “Sometimes.”

Jack continued ticking the symptoms off. “And the headaches.”

You gave him a small shrug. “Sometimes.”

Jack’s expression shifted as he mentally stacked everything together. “The fatigue. The bloating. The cramps waking you up.”

You nodded.

Jack glanced back at the machine. “So you feel like this, your back hurts, you’re exhausted, sometimes you’re nauseous, and you still come in here and work twelve hours.”

You lifted one shoulder. “Pretty much.”

Jack stared at you for a beat. “That’s insane.”

You laughed. “Welcome to menstruation.”

Crus leaned against the counter. “This keeps getting worse.”

You pointed at him. “And we haven’t even discussed the gastrointestinal symptoms.”

Mateo grimaced. “I don’t want to.”

Shen immediately nodded. “Wise.”

Crus shook his head. “This is horrifying.”

You folded your arms. “And yet somehow women have been managing.”

Jack looked at you again.

Really looked.

His expression softened.

Jack’s voice dropped. “You’re kind of a badass.”

You blinked.

Then smiled. “Kind of?”

His mouth twitched.

Jack reached out and hooked two fingers through one of your belt loops, tugging you closer. “Don’t push it.”

You stepped between his knees where he leaned against the workstation. “I thought you understood periods.”

Jack gave you a long look. “I did.”

You lifted your brows. “Did?”

Jack nodded once. “Intellectually.”

Your smile widened.

Jack slid one hand around your waist. “Experientially, I was apparently underinformed.”

Shen made an approving sound. “That’s very mature.”

Jack looked past your shoulder. “Go away.”

Shen pushed off the workstation. “Gladly.”

Mateo grabbed his coffee. “Yeah, I think the experiment’s over.”

Crus started after them. “Unless she brought another machine.”

You called after him. “Don’t tempt me.”

Crus raised one hand without turning around. “I’m out.”

You laughed and looked back at Jack.

His hand was still resting against your waist.

You brushed your thumb lightly over his cheek. “You okay?”

Jack nodded. “Yeah.”

You smiled. “Traumatized?”

He looked toward the machine.

Then back at you.

Jack’s expression softened. “If it gets that bad, tell me.”

You smiled. “I do.”

Jack shook his head. “No. You tell me you’re fine.”

You lifted one shoulder. “Usually am.”

Jack glanced toward the abandoned machine. “Your definition of fine needs work.”

By the time you both finally got home and slept off the rest of the shift, the room had gone warm and gold around the edges.

Late-afternoon light slipped through the blinds and stretched across the bed in narrow stripes. Somewhere outside, a car passed. The apartment was otherwise quiet.

Jack was awake beside you.

Barely.

He lay on his side facing you, hair flattened messily from sleep, one hand already resting low on your waist beneath the blanket.

You smiled before your eyes were fully open.

Jack’s thumb moved once against your side. “There she is.”

You shifted closer and tucked one leg between his. “How long have you been awake?”

Jack leaned in and pressed a slow kiss to your forehead. “Not long.”

You hummed and let your hand settle against his chest. “How are you doing?”

His mouth brushed your temple. “Fine.”

You opened one eye.

You lifted your head slightly. “Recovering?”

Jack’s hand slid around to the small of your back. “I said I’m fine.”

You smiled. “Traumatized?”

His eyes narrowed.

You laughed softly and moved closer before he could answer, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “Poor baby.”

Jack caught your hip and pulled you flush against him. “You’re enjoying this too much.”

You kissed him again, slower this time. “Maybe a little.”

Jack’s mouth followed yours when you started to pull away. “A little.”

You smiled against his lips. “A lot.”

His hand moved lazily up your back beneath your shirt.

You relaxed into him as his fingers traced along your spine.

Jack kissed you once more, then let his mouth drift toward your jaw.

You tipped your head back automatically.

His lips found the side of your neck.

You sighed. “You know, for a man who was fighting for his life twelve hours ago, you seem remarkably resilient.”

Jack’s mouth curved against your skin. “I was not fighting for my life.”

You threaded your fingers into his hair. “You folded.”

Jack lifted his head just enough to look at you. “I adjusted my posture.”

You stared at him.

His expression remained perfectly serious.

You started laughing. “Of course you did.”

Jack kissed you before you could say anything else.

His hand slid from your back to your waist, thumb brushing beneath the hem of your shirt as the kiss deepened.

You shifted closer.

Jack made a quiet sound against your mouth and pulled you in tighter.

For a minute, the conversation disappeared entirely.

His lips moved back to your neck.

Your fingers curled at the nape of his neck.

Jack kissed slowly beneath your ear, then lower, his hand wandering over your side in an absent, familiar path.

You closed your eyes. “Still fine?”

Jack murmured against your skin, “Very.”

You smiled. “No lasting psychological damage?”

His hand tightened lightly at your waist. “Keep talking.”

You laughed softly and turned your face toward his.

Jack kissed you again.

When he pulled back, his expression had softened.

His thumb brushed slowly over your hip.

Jack looked at you for a moment. “I have been thinking about it, though.”

You studied his face. “The simulator?”

He nodded once. “Yeah.”

Your teasing eased.

You ran your fingertips lightly along his jaw. “What about it?”

Jack’s hand moved in a slow circle against your lower back. “I knew your cramps were bad.”

You nodded. “I know.”

His brow furrowed slightly. “I knew about the back pain. The nausea when it gets bad. The headaches. How tired you get.”

You smiled faintly. “You do pay attention.”

Jack gave you a look. “Of course I pay attention.”

You leaned in and kissed him softly.

His hand stayed at your back.

Jack continued after you pulled away. “I just didn’t really understand what all of that felt like together.”

You watched him quietly.

His thumb pressed once into the muscle beside your spine.

Jack shook his head. “You’ve gone to work feeling like that.”

You lifted one shoulder. “Yeah.”

His expression tightened. “You’ve worked twelve hours feeling like that.”

You nodded. “More than once.”

Jack stared at you. “And you just keep going.”

You smiled slightly. “Usually.”

His brows drew together. “That’s insane.”

You laughed under your breath. “It’s a period, Jack.”

He shook his head. “That doesn’t make it less insane.”

You brushed your thumb over his cheek. “Millions of women do it every month.”

Jack’s eyes stayed on yours. “I’m not dating millions of women.”

Your smile softened.

His hand slid back around your waist.

Jack glanced down between you before looking at your face again. “You’re a badass.”

You lifted your brows. “Yeah?”

His mouth twitched. “Yeah.”

You smiled and kissed him.

Jack kissed you back immediately, one hand moving beneath your shirt again.

The tenderness only lasted a few seconds before the kiss deepened.

You shifted partly over him.

Jack’s palm moved along your side.

His mouth left yours and found your neck again.

You breathed out softly as his lips brushed the spot beneath your ear.

Your fingers tightened in his hair. “You’re getting distracted.”

Jack kissed the same spot again. “Am I?”

You smiled. “We were having a conversation.”

His hand slipped over your hip. “Still are.”

You tilted your head farther to the side. “This is how you conduct serious conversations?”

Jack’s mouth curved against your neck. “Sometimes.”

You laughed and tugged lightly at his hair.

His lips moved back toward your jaw.

Then Jack paused.

You felt it immediately.

You pulled back just enough to look at him. “What?”

Jack slid his hand along your hip. “As a physician—”

You immediately groaned.

His eyes narrowed. “I haven’t even finished.”

You smiled. “Nothing good has ever followed ‘as a physician’ while you have your hand under my shirt.”

Jack looked down at where his hand rested against your waist.

Then he looked back at you.

His mouth curved. “I don’t see the conflict.”

You laughed. “Of course you don’t.”

Jack leaned in and kissed the corner of your mouth. “As a physician, I feel ethically obligated to make sure you’re aware of all available treatment options.”

You pulled back slightly. “Treatment options.”

He nodded solemnly. “For menstrual cramps.”

You narrowed your eyes. “Go on.”

Jack’s hand moved lazily over your side. “Heat.”

You nodded. “Groundbreaking.”

His expression remained calm. “Anti-inflammatories.”

You smiled. “Never heard of them.”

Jack ignored you. “Lower-back massage.”

You relaxed instinctively when his hand shifted there. “Big fan.”

His thumb pressed gently into your back.

Your eyes fluttered closed for half a second.

Jack noticed.

His mouth curved. “There’s another one.”

You reopened your eyes.

Jack’s expression stayed perfectly innocent.

You stared at him. “Jack.”

He leaned closer.

His mouth brushed your jaw before he answered. “Orgasms can help.”

You went still.

Then you slowly turned your face toward him.

Jack looked entirely too pleased with himself.

You smiled. “Oh, Jack.”

His brows pulled together. “What?”

You slid your fingers through his hair. “You think I don’t know that?”

Jack paused.

You watched his expression shift.

His hand stayed still at your waist.

You smiled wider. “Tried and true.”

Jack’s brows lifted.

He studied you for a beat.

Then his eyes narrowed slightly. “You’ve done your own research?”

You nodded solemnly. “Very thorough.”

His hand stopped moving altogether.

A beat passed.

Jack looked almost offended. "Without me?”

You broke instantly.

You buried your face against his shoulder and laughed.

Jack stared down at you. “I don’t know why that’s funny.”

You lifted your head, still laughing. “Jack.”

His expression remained deeply unimpressed.

You grinned. “You’re jealous of my research methods.”

Jack shook his head. “I’m not jealous.”

You lifted your brows. “Would you prefer peer review?”

His hand tightened at your waist.

Jack gave you a warning look. “Careful.”

You laughed again. “Oh my God.”

Jack pulled you a little closer. “You’re enjoying this.”

You nodded. “Immensely.”

His eyes narrowed. “How thorough was the research?”

You stared at him.

Jack waited.

Your smile slowly widened. “You do not get a sample size.”

He frowned. “I’m asking academically.”

You laughed. “You are absolutely not.”

Jack’s mouth twitched. “I care about reliable data.”

You slid your hand over his chest. “The data is excellent.”

His jaw shifted. “Interesting.”

You smiled sweetly. “Very consistent results.”

Jack stared at you.

You could see the exact moment he realized you were deliberately making it worse.

He pointed at you. “Now you’re antagonizing me.”

You pressed a kiss to his fingertip. “Maybe.”

Jack caught your hand and pulled you closer until your bodies were pressed together again.

His voice dropped. “I’m simply saying you have additional resources now.”

You laughed softly. “Resources?”

Jack’s mouth moved toward your jaw. “Highly trained.”

You tilted your head as his lips brushed your skin. “Jack.”

His hand slid along your waist. “Experienced.”

You smiled. “You’re really committing to this.”

Jack kissed beneath your ear. “Available.”

A laugh escaped you.

You turned your face toward him. “You are using your medical education to get laid.”

Jack pulled back just enough to look at you.

His eyes dropped to your mouth.

His hand remained warm against your hip.

Jack’s mouth curved. “It’s working.”

You stared at him for half a second.

Then you kissed him.

Jack smiled against your mouth and rolled you gently beneath him.

Your arms slid around his neck.

His lips moved from yours to your jaw again.

You laughed softly as his hand slipped beneath your shirt.

Jack murmured against your skin, “For the record, I take pain management very seriously.”

You tightened your fingers in his hair. “You are so full of shit.”

Jack kissed your neck.

His mouth curved against your skin. “Still working.”

A few weeks later, Jack found you facedown across the bed with the heating pad tucked beneath your lower stomach and your face buried in his pillow.

He stopped in the bedroom doorway.

You didn’t move.

Jack set his keys on the dresser. “Bad?”

You lifted one hand from beside your head and wobbled it back and forth. “Six.”

Jack’s expression changed immediately.

He crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed. “Don’t say that like it’s nothing.”

You turned your face enough to look at him. “I just gave you a number.”

Jack rested one hand on your lower back. “You gave me a six like you were telling me it was mildly inconvenient.”

You smiled faintly. “Someone has simulator trauma.”

Jack gave you a flat look. “Someone has perspective.”

You laughed softly and let your cheek drop back onto the pillow.

Jack’s palm moved slowly over your back. “Take anything?”

You nodded into the pillow. “Ibuprofen about twenty minutes ago.”

His hand continued its slow path over your back. “Eat?”

You turned your head again. “Yes, Dad.”

Jack’s hand stopped.

You immediately smiled.

He narrowed his eyes. “Do you want the massage?”

Your attitude disappeared instantly. “Yes.”

Jack’s mouth twitched. “That’s what I thought.”

You shifted the heating pad slightly while Jack moved farther onto the bed.

His hands settled against your lower back.

The first slow press of his thumbs into the aching muscles near your hips made your entire body loosen.

You groaned into the pillow.

Jack paused immediately. “Too much?”

You shook your head against the pillow. “No. Never stop.”

His mouth twitched again.

Jack worked his thumbs slowly upward, then back down, using enough pressure to make the tension ease without crossing into pain.

You exhaled long and slow.

Jack glanced down at you. “There?”

You nodded against the pillow. “Right there.”

He kept working the same spot.

Your shoulders gradually relaxed.

After another minute, you sighed. “God, you’re good at that.”

Jack’s hands continued their slow rhythm. “I know.”

You opened one eye. “Could’ve pretended to be humble.”

Jack pressed his thumb into another tight muscle. “Would’ve been dishonest.”

You groaned again and closed your eye.

Jack smiled.

For several minutes, the room stayed quiet except for your occasional directions and the soft sound of Jack shifting behind you.

Eventually, you melted so completely into the mattress that Jack’s hands slowed.

He rubbed one broad palm over your lower back. “Better?”

You considered it. “A little.”

Jack nodded thoughtfully. “A little.”

You recognized the tone.

Your eyes opened.

Jack’s hand moved once more over your back.

You turned your head toward him. “What?”

His expression was perfectly innocent. “Nothing.”

You narrowed your eyes. “You have a face.”

Jack’s brows lifted. “I have one face.”

You shifted enough to look at him properly. “You have a very specific face right now.”

His hand slid slowly over your hip.

Understanding hit you.

You started laughing. “No.”

Jack’s mouth curved. “I haven’t said anything.”

You pointed at him from the pillow. “You don’t have to.”

He leaned down and pressed a kiss between your shoulder blades.

You smiled into the pillow. “You have been waiting for this, haven’t you?”

Jack kissed your shoulder. “Waiting for what?”

You glanced back at him. “Your big moment.”

His mouth twitched.

You laughed again. “Oh my God.”

Jack shifted closer, one hand still resting warmly against your lower back.

Then he leaned down until his lips brushed your ear.

Jack lowered his voice. “Here I am, sweetheart.”

You already knew.

Jack’s mouth curved against your skin. “The cure.”

You laughed so hard your stomach protested.

Jack immediately pulled back. “Careful.”

You pressed one hand against your abdomen. “You cannot call yourself the cure.”

His brows rose. “Why not?”

You turned onto your side so you could face him. “Cure is ambitious.”

Jack considered that for a beat.

Then his hand settled at your waist.

His mouth curved. “Then let me prove it.”

You stared at him.

Jack held your gaze.

You smiled despite yourself. “Confident.”

His thumb brushed slowly over your side. “You seemed pretty confident in your research.”

Your eyes narrowed. “Are we still upset about my independent study?”

Jack leaned closer. “Not upset.”

You pointed at him. “You asked me for a sample size.”

His mouth twitched. “I care about good methodology.”

You laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”

Jack kissed the corner of your mouth. “You challenged the claim.”

You pulled back just enough to look at him. “This isn’t peer review.”

His eyebrow lifted.

Jack’s hand slid around your waist and pulled you closer. “No.”

His mouth brushed yours.

Jack smiled against your lips. “Much better.”

You kissed him before he could say anything else.

Jack returned it immediately.

And somewhere between his hand settling carefully at your lower back and your fingers disappearing into his hair, you decided his methodology deserved further investigation.

Later, you were curled against Jack’s chest beneath the blankets, his fingertips moving lazily along your back.

The heating pad had been abandoned near your feet.

Jack pressed a kiss to the top of your head. “Well?”

You knew exactly what he was asking.

You kept your eyes closed. “Don’t.”

His chest shifted beneath your cheek with a quiet laugh. “I didn’t say anything.”

You poked him lightly in the ribs. “You’re thinking very loudly.”

Jack’s hand rubbed slowly over your back. “Pain?”

You sighed. “Maybe a three.”

His hand stopped.

You immediately opened your eyes.

Jack looked unbearably pleased with himself.

You pointed at him. “Absolutely not.”

His brows lifted. “What?”

You pushed yourself up slightly on his chest. “You do not get to look smug.”

Jack’s mouth curved. “Six to three.”

You groaned. “The ibuprofen also kicked in.”

Jack nodded solemnly. “Sure.”

You lifted a finger. “And the heating pad.”

His smile widened. “Of course.”

You added, “And the massage.”

Jack nodded once. “Which I also provided.”

You stared at him.

His smile widened further.

You shoved your face back against his chest. “I’ve created a monster.”

Jack wrapped both arms around you and pulled you closer.

His lips pressed against your hair.

“Doctor recommended,” Jack murmured.

You groaned into his chest.

Jack laughed softly and returned one warm hand to your lower back.

A moment later, his voice softened. “Seriously. Need anything else?”

You tucked yourself closer against him. “No.”

Jack kissed the top of your head again.

You smiled against his chest.

For all the shit you gave him, Jack had taken his newly appointed position very seriously.