So
After so many days I wore a jeans and a loose top.
I was happy to take a break from my track suit, and I was getting crazy since I got to keep my mobile phone back. Good lord I missed it so much.

Killer told me not to come for morning run and sleep instead.
I couldn't believe it at first, but who was I to ask him back.
I slept well, indeed.
Woke up lazily, got ready, had breakfast and knocked at Uncle's office at 8.
"Come in Miss Jane."

I wonder how these people do this guessing magic.
There Killer was standing in one end of the room.
I was offered a seat, and I sat with a little hesitation.
Uncle looked angry, and Killer was looking down.
Probably I landed in the middle of a not-so-happy conversation.

"We're waiting for Captain Renee. She'll be here.."
Just then we heard a knock.
"let's go, she's done" Magic again.

We reached the grand Forces Hospital, and were dropped at the ortho centre.
I couldn't wait to meet this particular person.

First to enter was Uncle James.
"Good morning Sir.. So nice to meet you!" he said in a very casual way. It sounded like they were good old friends.

"Sir.. Please.. Don't.." I heard a male voice.
"Ah let's not start again. Here is your patient."
Killer was entering, he stood straight and gave him a salute.

"Good morning Officer, please have a seat here."
I was walking behind Ren. She gave a crisp salute and went and stood behind Uncle.
What I saw after Ren moved to the side, blew my mind.

A man, and definitely not as old as I had pictured in my mind, was sitting there.
With frame less glasses, blue eyes, black curly hair, square jaw, long face and a dashing tight fitting uniform with some muscles underneath it, I'm sure.
I looked at him and he looked back with those blue eyes I couldn't get my eyes off.

"This is Miss Jane Stuart." Uncle introduced me and I can't thank him enough, because I forgot to speak.
He nodded but was unsure about something. "Are you.. Col Stuart's.."
"Daughter!" I completed with a wide grin.

God Jane! Shut up!
"Nice to meet you Miss Stuart, please have a seat."
He said with a smile.
I melted at the way he said misstuart.

He looked at me for another second then turned to Killer. God I hate Killer right now, more than ever!
"So, Officer! How have you been? I hope you didn't strain your leg.."
"No sir I didn't." Killer replied with a straight face.

I suddenly had the urge to know more about this man sitting right across the table.
I looked at him to find something, my eyes fell on his shoulders - Major.
I moved a little to the side to check his name plate. 'Philip Martins'

Major Philip Martins. Sounds like a nice music.
I focused back on his face.
He was smiling with his eyebrows raised.
He looked down and wrote something on a paper. No ring. He brought his other hand to put a stamp. No ring again. Great!

Back to face.
He was still smiling.
"Officer, let's get that Plaster off your leg now, and do a check X-Ray. Let's see how much have you earned with your patience."
He was talking very softly, with due respect.

He was opposite to most of my images.
He wasn't yelling or hyper, or bossy.
He was calm and serious, and mostly smiling.

Killer got up and sat on a raised chair.
Uncle's phone rang "excuse me sir, I'll be back."
"Sure sir."
Okay.
Wait! Sir?
Colonel calling a major 'Sir'? I looked at Ren confused.
She bent down and whispered in my ear "I'll tell you the sir story later. But stop *ogling* him, Jane!"

I was blushing right now.
Even more after realising that Ren caught me staring him.
If she knew it, then, I'm sure, Mr Martins also knows. Is that why he's smiling?
God Jane! You've made a joke of yourself!

But my blush went deeper.
I looked at him.
He's standing next to Killer now. Height is impressive. Built is.. More than impressive.
He must be working out in gym. No belly, no extra ounce of fat anywhere.

I looked at Killer once in between... Is he smart...?
Nah! Mr Martins is way ahead!

He brought an instrument similar to a saw, only that it was electric, and sliced through Killer's plaster, top to bottom, in one go. Damn those biceps. He removed the white cast with a slide and touched the skin with the back of his palm.
I wish he had sliced his leg, along with the plaster, but tough luck.
Then he moved Killer's foot in different directions and pressed at a few points over the leg with his thumb.

"So you said you didn't work out? Your macerated skin says otherwise..." he asked Killer in a teasing tone.
"I said I didn't strain. I never said I didn't workout. I can't be sleeping all day, like YOU suggested. I'm a soldier, I need constant training." That was a straight 'I hate you' reply.

Ren started "Willy? Colonel ordered you not to.."
"Not to strain miss Ren." Killer is clearly annoyed.

"Now you are reframing my words, too?" Entered Uncle with an angry look.
"Sir.. I.. I mean.." Killer was looking for words.

"It's ok sir.. I don't think that should be a problem. We'll check the X Ray to confirm." Mr. Martins was trying to save Killer's ass.
But why would he do it for a person who doesn't even talk to him properly.
I guess he's a good man. (blushing again)

Killer stood up on both legs.
His right leg seemed to be little thinner than left.
He started walking slowly, limping less than before now.
I don't know why he had a constipated expression on his face.
He went out and Ren followed him.
Just then Uncle's phone rang again and he went out.

Guess who was left now.
Me and Mr. Martins.
Great!
"That is called Disuse Atrophy." I heard him speaking to me.

"I'm sorry, what?" I replied before I even checked my tone.
"When a limb is not used for long time, like weeks, the muscles tend to shrink. That's why the limb looks so thin. Major Wills never wanted that stage to come. That's why he hates me."

He noticed that I noticed that! Wow!
"Does he even know the concept of disuse atr... whatever it is called?"
"Hahah. He knows a lot of medicine. It was a part of his special training. I've given him lessons in ortho. He's a sharp learner. He remembers terms and minor points which even we doctors tend to forget."

So Killer is also a doctor. Great.
Oh wait. Uncle asked him to give cover while Ren was practicing. That's what he meant by cover, the medical cover.

Is there anything left for my trainer to learn? Yes there is. Talking properly - that's what he needs to learn. Also, not being an ass.

"So...? How come I see a civilian walking shoulder to shoulder with a senior officer? That too, when a hard core soldier, like Wills, is accompanying?"
"Oh. Actually Dad proceeded on a Foriegn posting. He was worried about my safety. So, tada! Here I am. Not moving out of anybody's sight." I said rolling my eyes.

He laughed at my condition.
"I know it must be feeling toxic. But trust me, you are getting the best security in this country. Col James will not let anything happen to you."

"Speaking of Uncle James, why was he calling you sir? And why do you cover up for Major Wills in front of him, when he's so rude with you?"

"You notice a lot, too." There returns my blush.
"I remember the day he brought Wills to the hospital. I was the doctor on call for emergency.
He was semi-conscious. With so many wounds on his body, I couldn't count. Some fresh, some dried up. I was praying they didn't break any of his bones, but I knew that it was just a wish. A torture of that severity has to include impacts strong enough to break bones. We got his first aid done. A set of x rays covering all his body parts revealed two minor and just one major fracture. His leg bone. It was nothing less than a miracle. "

"You are saying that a broken bone is a good thing?" I was beyond surprised.

"No, but the bone which broke, that is Fibula, was a miracle. Because it's sister bone, Tibia, got saved. If Tibia gets fractured, it might never gain the strength to go back to his A-class training. He had other small fractures, one in his left little finger and one in 3rd toe of right foot. But he was lucky, that none of them were displaced. Though I'm sure, poor guy underwent a lot of pain because of his broken bones."
That's what Ren shouted at him that day. I see.

"Now talking about Col James. I'll never forget his face. He was a mess. Dead silent. He had fear in his eyes, like someone just saw a ghost, but escaped somehow.

He was standing next to Wills all the time.
He didn't let him go out of his sight.
When his X rays and blood reports arrived, he came to me.
'Tell me he'll survive, please.' Is all he said and he was in tears.
I have never seen a man so strong in such a condition.

I took him to one side, isolating us from others.
I showed him all the reports and X rays.
'He'll survive Colonel. He's strong. And I promise that he will be back stronger.' That's all I had to say before he hugged me tight, and burst into tears. He's still trying to thank me by calling me Sir everytime we meet."

I didn't notice I was crying till a drop fell on my hand.
I rubbed it off and smiled.
"Killer is lucky dog." my eyes widened as I realised I said it out loud.

He was laughing loudly now. "That's a cool nickname. Don't worry I didn't hear anything."
I joined him in his laughter.

"Now about the second question. Yes Wills sucks at showing emotions. So he goes to the other extreme to cover it up. That doesn't mean that he loves me whenever he answers like he wants to kill me, but he's thankful too."
Mr. Martins had a smile on his face while he looked at the wall behind me.

"He was disoriented to know what all happened that day, but I'm sure he was told some details by Captain Renee and Major Nick who were equally freaked out. I know he's not bad at heart. And I also know that he wants to go back to his training badly and I'm the only one stopping him. So he tries to get on my nerves to just give in. But poor guy, he's always shut by his father who supports me. Haha. I try to save his ass, because he has already earned a pile of punishments by shouting at me last time."

He paused for a moment and started chuckling.
I was smiling too now.
His deep blue eyes moved back to my face.
We looked at each other for a few moments.

"Is there anything you want to ask? About me? I have a feeling." he asked with raised eyebrows.

"Actually there is... Erm.. It sounds stupid. Erm.. Are you.. I mean.." my heart was pounding now.
"Come on now!"

"Erm.. Don't you wear any ring?"
What?! I actually said what?!
He burst out laughing. Then he took a breath to calm down. He offered a shake hand. I held his hand when he said "I'm not married if that's what you're asking. And no I'm not in a relationship too."

That's it.
I can't carry this blush anymore.
I moved my hand back but he held it tighter, though still gentle.
After one second, he let my hand go and I covered my smile.

Suddenly there was a rush.
Ren, followed by Killer, followed by another person I guess Mr Martin's fellow, all came in.
Ren looked at me and gave me a wink then turned to the other doctor.
He took the film and looked at it against the lighted screen.
"Hmm.. It looks healed..." he started but was stopped in middle by Killer.

"Well, thank you then, for troubling me so much. I'll restart my training today." he started to get up.

"I didn't say we're done here." Blue eyes replied while still looking at the film.
"I'm not getting the blue cast on my leg, let me make it very clear." Killer was beyond pissed.

"Stand up." Martin's tone was changed. I think Killer pushed it too far, this time.
Killer looked at him with surprise but stood up anyway.
"Now I'll talk in a language you understand. Buddy please stand on the door and signal for Colonel." He said the last part to the guy I didn't know.

"At ease."
"Attention"
"At ease."
"Attention"
What is going on? Why is Martins getting in all parade mode?

"Why are you swaying? You are a soldier right? Parade is in your blood. Why is it not perfect?"
The room was full of tension. He was clearly annoyed.
Ren came and stood behind me with arms at her back.

Killer opened his mouth to argue but.. "Think before you speak, junior." Martin's words cut through the silence, which resulted in somebody shutting his mouth.

"What is the term for softening and breaking down of skin resulting from prolonged exposure to moisture?"
What? Are we having viva now?
"Maceration, sir"

"Good. Now what is the most common skin disease if that macerated skin stays untreated for long?"
"Fungal infection."
"Use medical terms boy, you're not a clerk." his tone changed into danger.

"Taenia, Sir."
"Better. Now. What did I tell you while putting on this plaster?"

"Not to strain on my right..."
"That's not the word I used."

"Not to do any activity that produces sweat."
"Better. Now, did you follow my instruction?"
It was silent. Killer was looking ahead but didn't speak a word.

"Answer. The. Damn. Question. Did you follow the damn instruction?"
"No sir."

"Well. Then you stand like this, till your father comes. I'll give the instructions to Colonel James, and tell him how ignorant he is towards his officers. Then, may be, you'll understand the instructions clearly."
And he began writing something on a sheet.

" Sir.. Please.. "Ren started to speak.
" You will not apologise on his behalf anymore." she must have pressed her lips now.

I heard Ren whisper "Wills! You dumb! Speak up!"
Killer was about to burst in anger. He was breathing fast.
He took a deep breath and said something I never expected him to say.
"I'm sorry sir. I'll follow all your instructions here onwards."

Mr. Martins still had furrows on his forehead.
"Please sir. Let's keep the matter..."
"I was trying to keep the matter in our own hands till you decided to screw up."

"I'm sorry."
"You will come back on Monday, get the fibreglass cast on, keep it for 10 days, and get it removed. All in front of my eyes, like a good boy. Am I clear?"

Silence, but I could hear Killer swearing, behind those pressed lips.

"Sir, Col James is coming!" the buddy spoke up.

"Very well then. We know what to do now." Martins said with a smirk.

"Clear sir! Fibreglass on Monday! I'll report! Please don't say anything to him.." Killer said in a hurry.
Martins laughed a little.
"Sit down"

Killer must have sat for only two seconds when Uncle came back in, and everyone stood up.
"Ah! Finally! Bones are all healed? No more plasters?"
Mr. Martins made a sad face, and I couldn't hide my smile, and said "I'm sorry sir. The bone needs a little more care. We know his training is extreme, so we have decided to go step wise."

"He'll still be limping.." uncle said with helplessness in his voice.

"No sir. This is a fibreglass cast that we'll use. It will keep the limb immobilised, but it will be weightless. He can walk and do routine activities much more easily. And that will be applied for only ten to twelve days, and then we'll remove it. No more plasters then, I promise."

Uncle waited for a moment then spoke up.
"You know the best for my boy, all power to you. Just get him back. I'm still very thankful.. "
" Sir I did my job. I don't deserve it to the extent you've been thanking me. Your son is strong enough to go through hell and come back. It's him, not me."

Uncle nodded, thanked him once again and left for his meeting.
We spent a few more minutes talking. You won't believe that all of us were having a light conversation and laughing after Mr Blue eyes kicked Killer's ass.

He took my number with a smile on his face, after Killer and Ren left and I came back to get my mobile I 'accidentally' left in his office.

Highlight of the day:
1) Killer walks now. (*deep sigh*)
2) Mr. Blue Eyes will text someday sometime, and I'll jump in joy.
3) Uncle James is gone, Killer is a bigger threat now.
4) Ren might not go for her ab punches now, she's scared.
5) Nick! What about his last fumes? I need to go meet him asap!

************************************

2900 words!
Goodness!
I hope I didn't disappoint anyone.

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