“Major.” She looked directly at me. “What are you doing here?”
“Just visiting.” I replied.
“Aren’t you supposed to be on leave and not seeing patients?” She walked the rest of the way into the room and over to Kai’s chart. “Because I know someone who is known around base as the captain of rules wasn’t just giving an order he shouldn’t be.”
“Nope.” I shook my head. “Just a suggestion.” I smiled.
“Hmm.” She finished with Kai and came over to where I was standing beside Rylan. “Do you mind?” She waited for me to move out of the way.
I could see both my guy’s lips twitch as I stood there. It wasn’t often I got in trouble, and I didn’t like it. Dana asked all the same questions I had plus a few more. She did peel back the badges, and I strained my neck to get a look.
“You might as well step closer before I have to fit you with a brace on that nose of yours.” She glanced over her shoulder at me as Kai snorted out a laugh.
“Thanks.” I moved so I could take a good look.
“What do you think, Major?” She asked.
I hated seeing the visible scars Rylan would probably have for the rest of his life, but I was glad all the puffiness and discoloration that had been there the last time I saw him was gone.
“It’s healing nicely.” I nodded.
“I agree.” She pointed to another roll of gauze and tape. I handed it to her and took a step back.
“I also agree that we should push back your physical therapy to Monday.” She changed his bandage. “If that goes well, then we might look at releasing you sometime next week.”
“So soon?” I spoke up. Rylan was doing better than expected, but I didn’t want them rushing him out of here.
“Yes.” She finished up and went back to document the changes.
“If you think that’s best.” I didn’t, but it wasn’t my call. “I should get going.”
“A minute.” She halted my escape.
“Sure.” The way she said it, there wasn’t really an option. It might not have been a direct order, but only an idiot would have missed her commanding tone.
She finished the reports and then walked past me toward the door. I waved to the guys, who were fully laughing now, with my middle finger before following her out.
She waited until we were back in her office to say a word. “And you?” She sat behind her desk and pushed her glasses further up her pointed nose. “How are you doing?”
“I’m great.” I smiled. “Ready to get back to work.” I leaned forward in the office chair across from her. “I can be back in uniform tomorrow.”
“Have you seen the therapist?” She raised her eyebrow.
“I don’t need to see anyone.” I sat back.
“Whether you need to or not, isn’t the point.” She steepled her fingers and let her elbows rest on the top of the desk. “You know I can’t sign off on your return until you complete your treatment.”
“I don’t have PTSD.” I’d treated post-traumatic stress before. I knew the symptoms. I was fine. Why wasn’t anyone getting that?
“Then see the doctor and let them make the call.” She dropped her hands onto the desk. “You’re good, and I know how much you care about your patients. I feel the same.” I knew that.
Dana and I were unique in the fact that we shared a similar history. While she grew up a military brat, I grew up with a father who loved being a doctor and always dreamed his children would follow in his footsteps. Like Dana, I went to medical school thinking I would make my father’s dream come true. I’d been ROTC since high school and a reservist through college. Somehow, when I finished and was ready for my residency, I knew I wanted to serve. My father shocked the hellout of me when I told him. He said he had always known this was my path and that he was proud of me.
“I also know the old saying is true.” Dana caught my attention. “Doctors do make the worst patients, but if you want to get back to your team, then you are going to have to get the therapist to sign off. And you need to do it before your contract is up.”
“Fine.” I stood, more than a little pissed, and headed for the door.
“Oh, and Stu.” She called out. “If I catch you trying to treat a patient again before you have that appointment and are allowed back on duty, I will report it.” She didn’t blink or anything. “You want to take care of them, take care of yourself first.”
