#ed clinic chicago

[westcoastmenhealth]

West Coast Men's Health provides specialized care at their Men's Health Clinic Chicago, focusing on comprehensive health solutions for men. Our clinic offers personalized treatments for various men’s health issues, including ED, low testosterone, and overall wellness, utilizing cutting-edge, non-invasive methods. Led by experienced professionals, we aim to enhance quality of life with effective, tailored care. Conveniently located in Chicago, we welcome men seeking discreet, professional support to improve their health and vitality. Discover the benefits of a customized health plan designed to help you feel your best at West Coast Men's Health.

[crockettmarcel]

beech clinic au for tsfs if you like :)

"Kett, I don't want to do this. I wanna go home." Sarah looks at him, pleading, and for a moment, just a second, he almost considers taking her back with him.

But then she takes his hand in hers, and it's so bony and cold that she might as well be a corpse, and he knows this is the right decision. He's not taking her home so she can die jogging in the park.

"Maggie said one of the other residents would give you a tour. Go and find them. Please." He kisses her forehead, then pulls his hand away from her grip. "Let this place help you, Sarah."

[augustjustice]

Sharing Smokes Outside the Snow Ball

AO3 Link

It's the Winter of 1999, and Steve Harrington and Eddie Munson are standing outside the Hawkins Middle School Snow Ball, sharing a smoke.

Eddie can't believe he's back here, the whole thing feeling nearly as surreal as that nightmare, wayward Spring Break over ten years ago. He'd barely made it out of that hell hole alive, Steve himself practically having to hold Eddie together as they made their way from Forest Hill to Hawkins Memorial Hospital.

Spring had turned into summer, sweltering and oppressive as Eddie slowly, painfully healed.

There had been bright spots, though. Watching Lucas and Erica squabble during the one-shot campaign he had cooked up just for the party that June. Evenings out beside the Harrington's temperature controlled pool, beer bottle sweating in his hand as he traded a joint back and forth between Argyle and Jonathan, the sound of Robin's cackle loud and bright as she managed to hipcheck Steve into the pool. Steve's own blinding smile--a longtime feature of Eddie's secret high school fantasies--being turned on him the first time he made it from the front doors of the physical therapy clinic to the passenger side of his BMW, without needing any help at all.

But then summer had ended, and Eddie, finally back together again like a character out of a children's nursery rhyme, had packed up his van and headed straight to Chicago, not looking back.

Sure, there'd been post cards sent, phone calls to Dustin and the other Hellfire brats, promises to see everyone soon. Promises that Eddie couldn't keep, even if he wanted to.

Not when he didn't dare set foot in Hawkins, not ever again.

Then, over a decade into his second life as a struggling guitarist by night, record shop employee by day, his cousin Brooke had landed on his doorstep, looking too tired and too young all at once, a bruise around her eye. Behind her, her eleven year old son was studying the apartment hall's tiling.

"I left him." Eddie didn't need an explanation for that one. Her good-for-nothing husband, Nash. "Jake won't be any trouble, he just...needs a place to stay, while I get back on my feet. Somewhere his daddy can't find him. Just for a little while."

Eddie thought of his Mama. And then he called Wayne.

"Shit, Uncle Wayne, I--don't know what to do."

"Come on home now, boy," Wayne said, easy as anything, like Eddie had left only yesterday. "Come on back home."

So Eddie had.

That had been six months ago. And now he was standing in the aforementioned middle school parking lot with Steve 'the Hair' Harrington, while their kids--and wasn't that just a fucking head trip and a half--danced the night away.

"I keep half expecting Click to round the corner screaming my name," Eddie admits as he gives Steve a light. "Remember junior year, I sold to you in the alley behind the gym? Old bat nearly got me that time."

"Remember? I literally had to shove that joint down the front of my shorts, dude," Steve admits, which draws a snort out of Eddie to match his own chuckle. "Most of the guys on the basketball team couldn't move half as fast as you did that day. You practically vanished into the woods before she even made it to the stadium. Totally shoulda gone out for the track team, Eds."

Eddie clutches his chest, as though he's been shot. "Don't speak such blasphemy to me, Harrington."

"Yeah, well, you can quit worrying. Pretty sure she finally retired," Steve tells him, taking a long drag before he's passing the cigarette back to Eddie, even that brief touch enough to send sparks of electricity up Eddie's arm. Then he shoots Eddie that charming, infamous Harrington smile, boyish and cocky, the one that says he's used to getting exactly what he wants. "Even if she's not, I'm head of the PTA. If Higgins tries anything, I'll just threaten not to bring cupcakes to the next bake sale."

"Harrington, my hero," Eddie fakes a swoon, collapsing for a brief second against Steve's shoulder, an excuse to get close.

The theatrics get no rise out of Steve beyond an amused smirk. Even after all these years, he's still used to Eddie's antics, it seems.

"You know, it was total déjà vu," he nods to the middle school gymnasium, all decked out in blue and white, "dropping Sam off here."

Though he's actually gotten to know the Harrington offspring in person since he's been back, Eddie had received the rundown from Dustin and the others on Steve's journey to dadhood in their scattered calls over the years.

The December after Eddie had left, Steve had met a girl, taken her out on a few dates, and accidentally gotten her pregnant.

With Samantha, a name Dustin had proudly persuaded Steve into as the little girl's godfather. Every bit as adorable, now that Eddie had seen her, as the gushing picture the party had painted for him, all big blue eyes and wavy chestnut hair just like her father's.

Steve had gotten down on one knee long before she was born, determined to tie the knot and do right by her mother nearly as soon as he'd heard the news.

The pair had been divorced not even two years later.

"I don't think they were ever really in love," Dustin had informed Eddie one sunny afternoon impromptu of nothing, as always blunt in his honesty. "But you know what Steve is like. He's a hopeless romantic."

Eddie didn't, not exactly. But he's gotten enough glimpses, both back in '86 and much more recently, that he's starting to put the picture together.

Steve draws Eddie out of that particular reverie with another bright laugh. And then he's recounting the memory of Dustin's hair, done up in the infamous Harrington 'do, as Steve pulled up in front of the '84 Snow Ball playing chaperone in his trusty Beemer, long since traded in for the much more affordable sedan he's driving now.

"I demand photographic evidence, Harrington," Eddie insists, smile crooked, that distracting dimple appearing in his right cheek, "you can't conjure up an image like that and then not fork over the goods."

"Hey, man, talk to Dustin. Mrs. Henderson took like...a million pictures that night," Steve laughs.

But he's already mentally going through the album tucked away on a bookcase back at home, positive he's got his own photo to show for it. It'll make for a nice excuse to invite Eddie over for dinner one night.

The subject turns then to their own checkered experiences with school dances.

"Class of '85, baby! That's when they made your 'King Steve' title official," Eddie crows, teasing as he taps Steve once on the nose.

Steve goes a bit cross-eyed, following the movement of his finger.

"Yeah, well, talk about a total let-down of a night. I didn't even bring a date," Steve admits, tone blasé. The truth is, his entire senior year had been something of a disappointed trudge towards graduation, a walk he had taken mostly alone. There had been bright spots--the little band of miscreants he'd fallen into babysitting, for one--but they had all been far outside the walls of Hawkins High. "I'm guessing you weren't around for that? Not really your scene, especially with the Munson Doctrine's strict rules about 'forced conforming.'"

He puts Eddie's words in deliberate air quotes, his turn to give him a teasing smile.

"You're wrong about that one, big boy. I saw them, adorning your glorious locks with the crown." That mischievous smile is back. "We're not that old, dude, don't tell me you already forgot the whole 'prom streaking' incident?"

Eddie shoots him a loaded, deliberate look.

"Wait a minute, wait a minute." Shaking his head with a laugh, Steve waves his arms in front of him, like he's calling a time out. "You've gotta be fucking kidding me. That was you?"

"The one and only. What can I say, Jeff and Gareth dared me. Besides, by that point," Eddie shrugs casually, "I already knew I didn't have a shot at graduating anyway, so. Thought I'd close out the year with a bang."

"You've seriously never considered doing anything halfway in your life, have you, Munson?" Steve asks, giving Eddie's shoulder an almost exasperated nudge, smile fond in spite of himself.

"Absolutely not, Stevie boy. Life's too short. Where's the fun in playing it safe?"

Eddie swings into Steve's space, then, dark eyes sparkling. Goading and flirtatious. Just like when they were teenagers, thrown together in the worst of circumstances but making the best of it, before time and pain and trauma put all that distance between them.

And if Steve's eyes drop down to Eddie's lips as they share air, slow enough it can't be anything but deliberate, and their fingers brush just a tad too intimately the next time they trade the cigarette back and forth...well. They've got a lot of lost time--and shared smokes in school parking lots--to make up for.

[a-bored-writer]

My thoughts on the new Chicago med episode, in no particular order:

Did I miss the reason why Hannah doesn’t have sleeves rn? Why are her scrubs shaped so differently?

I feel like they’re setting Lenox up to be the next Ethan (rigid recent military discharge with an arc centered around calming the actual fuck down) and I’m not sure how I feel about that but I do think she has solid potential

I want them to replicate the early Rhodes/Bekker magic with her and Archer. Like, from the first few episodes, before it was even a romance

Where is Kai? Where is Monique? Why is Doris everywhere saying like three lines but they can’t seem to remember their recurring characters that had any significant scenes? Either give Doris some spotlight or forget about her

That was a ridiculous waste of Zach’s character

Frost is a solid addition, the banter with Maggie is gonna be a lot of fun to watch

Loving the Pavel storyline, not loving Daniel being single again. I truly liked Liliana and her dynamic with Dan

If they write Dr Charles off the show at any point, I do want them to bring Reese back. She left (partly) because of him, I wanna see her as his replacement for the ED psych attending job

Why does Maggie seem so irritated even at the start? “I really needed some good news today”??? Is the divorce arc still going?????

Hannah being superstitious about the crash victim (“maybe she heard her baby cry”/“or maybe it was just the electrical current”) was a really nice touch, both for Hannah’s character (her semi recent exposition about losing her mom and longing for connection like that). That conversation also perfectly exemplified her dynamic with Archer, which I’m also a massive fan of

Speaking of Archer, what happened with Sean?? I liked him a lot ngl, I was excited to see where that storyline went

I expected a “rising star” arc with Kai, maybe even with a little burnout, like they tried and failed to do with Elsa Curry (or something even darker, like an Angel of death storyline), so just not seeing him was so odd for me

Goodwin in scrubs! Seeing her as a nurse doing nurse things was cool, and her “I’ve been dealing with grouchy ass doctors…” was PERFECT (not to mention watching archer hesitate when he realized it was her)

Visually, and idk how to explain this well, the visuals on this season (and s9 tbh) were so…off. They feel cold. For lack of a better term, everything looks so clinical and dingy now, early seasons felt a little more…idk, artistic. It’s the same stuff a lot of Zach Snyder DC stuff struggles with.

Loving Abrams having a bigger role (for now) tbh, I really hope we get more of him

Ripley is one of those characters that I love the storylines of but I can’t make myself care about his feelings lmao

[thatonefng]

How about indefinitely - Sarah Reese x Reader (Chicago Med)

A/N: I finished watching the season finale of Chicago Med and was inspired by Will Halstead’s own departure and I miss Sarah Reese

Summary: Sarah and the reader had been dating while she was the psychiatrist resident and the reader an attending physician in the ED until she decided to leave Gaffney and head to Texas. At the airport she offered the reader to come with here but ultimately declined, reason was Chicago is home. She was okay with your decision but said if they’re ever in Texas, just call her.

—————————————

Since that day, you had a hard time maintaining your work, every where you look, you see her. It affected you personally and professionally because throughout your career, Sarah had been there since the beginning.

Now it was you who saw her at the end of her career for a new change. It was understandable that she wanted to leave, it made you proud that she was finally making a choice for herself, yet it was saddening that she was still going.

But before boarding, she turned to you and told you that you could come along with her. You did ponder on it but ultimately decided to stay in Chicago. She understood and you knew that it marked the end of your relationship. It ended amicably and you send her away.

It was miserable, the next months you woke up expecting her to be near you but she wasn’t. You also tried going out but it wasn’t like the one you had previously with the psychiatrist. Then it hit you, you still held a torch for Sarah Reese.

During your residency at Gaffney, it was understandable that people all come and go. Connor left, Ava died, Jeff moved to Hawaii, Dylan resigned, Ethan and April had gotten married and started a mobile clinic, Nat had been fired, and now recently Will had been fired and moved to Seattle, last you heard from him he reconnected with Natalie. All of them leaving hurt, but Sarah’s hurt you the most.

Now it was only you, Goodwin, Maggie, Dr. Charles, and Dr. Marcel.

But now, it was your time to go. Reason behind it was because of an off-the-books surgery where you saved a child because as a doctor, you save anybody you can. When the staff found out, you took full responsibility and resigned from the hospital.

So here you are, in front of the many coworkers in the ED. With your stuff packed in a bag that is hung over your shoulders.

“I’m sorry that I have to say goodbye.” You spoke softly, but still audible enough for everybody to hear. “I know it’s not going to be easy once I’m gone, but I have faith that the people that stand here right now, will take great care to this city.” You stated without your voice cracking up.

Dr. Charles then approached you and gives you an embrace. It was emotional, growing up and helping Chicago was the best thing that you’ve ever felt.

“Let’s all wish Dr. L/N the very best.” Goodwin and the ED staff all applauded for you as you shook Goodwin’s hand, thanking her for everything.

Then you gave Maggie one final hug and finally approached Crockett. When he came to Gaffney you accepted him and in return he did to you as well and in the end you became basically brothers.

“Keep saving lives while I’m gone, yeah?” You told Crockett.

“Absolutely.” He shook your hand.

Exiting the ED itself, you turned around and gave one final wave to the still applauding staff.

~~~

A taxi was waiting outside for you. You had previously packed everything in your apartment but only brought your gym bag and a backpack.

“O’hares?” He asked for your destination. You had decided to leave Chicago whole.

“Yes.” You replied, looking out the window as this would be the final time you would seeing the windy city’s skyline. Memories started playing in your head as one tear silently fell.

~~~

Remembering Sarah you decided to go reunite with her so you had just arrived at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

Exiting the terminal, and looking all around you felt small. You did let her know that you were coming to Texas, albeit hesitantly because you had never contacted her so you didn’t know what her reaction would be.

She did read it so that’s a good sign. So again, here you are, in another state where everything is new. You pulled out your phone, in the process of calling a taxi, thinking that she wouldn’t be here but when you looked up, she was there.

She may have been amongst the crowds but her beauty made her stood out to you. Out of reaction, you cracked a smile.

You both approach each other, only stopping once you both were close. Looking at her, you could tell she has grown but was still the same Sarah you fell in love with years ago.

*Obviously not my gif but anyways*

“Hey.” She greeted you.

“Hey.” You repeated. It was nice to hear her voice again. And judging by the way she sounds, she was happy you were there, in front of her.

Her smile grew more but then she gawks at your lightload. “Is that all you packed.”

You shrugged in response. “I didn’t know how long you wanted me to stay.” You truthfully answered her.

Sarah shook her head as she said the words that unburdens you from discovering that your trip was a waste.

“How about indefinitely.” She smiled as she embraces you tightly, you doing the same. You were ecstatic that your reunion was a success.

Then she does the one thing that caught you off guard. She captures your lips with hers. The kiss lasted for seconds but to you, it felt like an eternity.

You were about to ask her but she beat you to it. “I’ve waited all this time for you, can we continue?” She rubbed your flustered cheeks like she always did.

You answered yes.

Then you both walked out of the terminal, hand-in-hand with a smile as your relationship with Sarah never died but instead grew. You were ready, ready for a new life together.

—————————

A/N: My first post, yay! I hope I did good

[readingsquotes]

"The dean at the University of Georgia’s law school has ordered its first amendment law clinic to cease all work related to public records law – including a lawsuit against the Atlanta Police Foundation, the non-profit organization behind a planned $109m training center colloquially known as Cop City.

Dean Peter B “Bo” Rutledge gave the order to clinic director Clare R Norins within weeks of the clinic’s February announcement that one of its attorneys would be representing the digital news outlet Atlanta Community Press Collective, or ACPC, and the Chicago-based digital transparency research organization Lucy Parsons Labs in a lawsuit against the police foundation. Both groups filed the suit after making numerous queries to the organization under Georgia’s open records act, only to be ignored.

Ed Vogel, a researcher at Lucy Parsons Labs and a plaintiff, called the timing of the decision “alarming”, adding that Rutledge “has a responsibility to be completely transparent about why it was made”.

....

Rutledge later sent the Guardian a statement asserting that the move was “part of ongoing efforts to align the First Amendment Clinic’s activities more closely with the institution’s educational mission”.

This is “puzzling” given that the clinic’s own website says the issues it focuses on include “government transparency”, and “that transparent government is essential to a free, open and democratic society”, noted Ken Paulson, director of the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University.

“This is frankly impossible to achieve if the dean of the law school takes open-records work off the table. Government transparency is composed of ‘sunshine’ and public records laws,” he said.

...

the fight against Cop City has drawn national and global headlines, particularly since 18 January of last year, when state troopers shot and killed Manuel Paez Terán, known as Tortuguita, who was camping in protest at a public park near the Cop City site – the first such incident in US history. Opposition to the project has come from a wide range of local and national supporters, with concerns such as unchecked police militarization and clearing forests in an era of climate crisis. Atlanta police say the center is needed for “world-class” training.

...

Rutledge clerked for Clarence Thomas, and is featured in a painting included in ProPublica’s reporting on Republican donor Harlan Crow’s gifts to the supreme court justice.

“The fact that this institution that embodies and makes up so much of the power structure in our state is limiting itself from supplying a critical tool for government transparency is appalling and disappointing,” Barnes added.

The decision doesn’t just affect the Cop City case. Various local press outlets this week have expressed concern after learning about losing free legal help with public records. Appen Media, based in the suburbs north of Atlanta, wrote that “[j]ournalists across Georgia are mourning the loss of a crucial service”.

The suit against the police foundation, meanwhile, could have an impact beyond Georgia, said Vogel.

“If a decision is made that makes them subject to open records requests,” he said, “it will set a precedent that others will follow around the country.”

[kitweewoos]

Random thought. Have you watched Criminal minds at all? Anyway the BAU team and Voight's team working together for some case and Will also pulled in for medical info. Penelope Garcia is a nick Namer and calls Will baby boy at 1 point. And Matt Cooper is involved in some way.

Hi Dania!!! I thought about this for a bit, because I love it, and it deserves that attention. Because, yes, I've watched a lot of Criminal Minds. It's one of my sister's favorite shows, and I've seen a lot of the episodes (some repeatedly). I imagine that kind of plotline is like...

Intelligence is looking into a serial killer in Chicago who is targeting single gay men, typically either using Grindr or just picking them up at the club, and it falls into their territory because it seems to be connected to a drug dealer, since the victims keep dying to a very specific laced drug that seems to be source-less. Unfortunately, the deaths are mounting up without any evidence leading them to the unsub, and they reach out to the BAU for help, and because of the death count, the BAU flies right out to investigate.

Jay, once the BAU lands and starts looking through the case, offers Will as a medical resource, especially given that he's been helping in the ED and drug clinics since this strain has popped up, and has been working with Intelligence to bring them more information about the drug and it's effects. He's more than willing to help, even as their tech wiz, a rival to Mouse himself, Penelope Garcia, calls him baby boy and sweetly Ginger Spice and makes him blush hot. (Jay teases Will for hours about the reaction, not realizing that Will isn't into Garcia, he's just easily embarrassed about someone seemingly flirting with him.)

Unfortunately, that does put a target on Will's back, and Will is the next victim, but Will, smart as he is, carries an antidote of sorts on him, that's not perfect but prevents him from overdosing and dying. It means he's in the hospital, unconscious, recovering but not able to provide them any information about what happened to him. So, Jay and the BAU have to connect the dots of Will's life, and surprisingly so much of his life has been hidden in shadow, and held a secret away from his brother and friends.

At the end of the clues, they find Matt Cooper. Jay knows him, vaguely, as the guy Moira almost married about a decade before, but no, he seems to have connections to Will, too, intimate connections, including videos of them together, and that's certainly not something Jay was expecting to see, or ever wants to see again. Matt Cooper, who has ties to a company known to Intelligence and the FBI for possible money laundering and mafia connections, was their number one suspect, considering the string of messages between Will and Matt recently, Matt inviting Will out for drinks the day he was drugged.

When they investigate Matt, they find more and more suspicious activity long before he contacted Will again, and Jay is sure he's their man. Following the lead of the BAU, they track him down and bring him in, but it seems, to Jay and to the agents he's dealing with, that Matt is not exactly who they're looking for. There's a whole web that begins to be revealed. This isn't just a serial murderer with a penchant for humiliating his victims and praying on men who were just looking for a hook-up. It's the start of something much darker, much deeper, and so much worse.

(it got away from me, no surprise)

[midchelle]

Thank you @raylangivins for tagging mwahhh kisses :)))

How many works do you have on ao3?

A humble 6.

What's your total ao3 word count?

34,148, would be 90,571 if I hadn't orphaned a fic a while back.

What fandoms do you write for?

It's currently the Beatles, but I used to write some other stuff. YA series. Let's not get into it.

What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

oh, what a night! - Paul's not looking at John, he’s watching his fingers follow the line of John’s clavicle to his shoulder. “Not going to sleep, then?” “No.” John swallows, feels the dexie scrape down his oesophagus. “Was rather hoping for an encore, myself.” Obertauern, February 1965

Sorry Girls, He's Married - The morning after the Ed Sullivan Show, John is in a strange mood. Cyn is asleep. Paul makes a bad choice || New York City, February 1964 (Added a summary to this a while ago because I remembered it just didn't have one lol)

the late, great, johnny ace - 1981. Paul is making an album.

my brother's keeper - There is a certain clinical satisfaction in seeing just how bad things can get || Chicago, August 1966

you and i have memories - Over the years, John has had many way-out ideas, but fucking off to California and having his memory wiped is certainly a novel one, even for him. (2/5)

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Yeah I try to! I'm kind of a boomer when it comes to AO3 functionality, so sometimes I miss a few of them, but they're always super appreciated and I try to make sure that I show that.

What is a fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Probably tell me all my love's in vain. The actual situation in johnny ace is much, much angstier, but the ending has a bit of hope, at least.

What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

oh, what a night! Absolutely zero conflict throughout.

Do you get hate on fics?

I had one person be irritating in the comments of a fic, but otherwise everyone's been lovely.

Do you write smut?

yeah

Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you've written?

I haven't yet, might after I read the Marianne Faithfull/Edie Sedgwick bios that have been sitting on my desk for ages.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Someone could've stolen something I posted on Wattpad/ff.net and I wouldn't even know at this point because I can't get into the accounts.

Have you ever had a fic translated?

Think someone on ff.net offered to translate the now orphaned fic a while ago. Can't recall what language.

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No, but I'm open to doing it should the muse strike us simultaneously.

What's your all-time favorite ship?

this dynamic <33

What's a wip you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

I had an idea for a Twilight fic some time ago that I never finished because I didn't know enough about Twilight, but it was a pretty good concept. I might use it for original fiction sometime, I dunno.

What are your writing strengths?

I dunno, you tell me. Descriptions, jokes, bad vibes, idk.

What are your writing weaknesses?

I hate writing the connective tissue bits between scenes, which is why most of my longer fics are in vignette form, and I get fed up of the fic if I've been working on it for a while, so my endings tend to be a bit lazier. Also, I'm not very good at plot. I'm mostly a vibes-based writer.

Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

It's usually pretty easy to get around, especially if the character themselves doesn't speak the language. One of my biggest pet peeves in fiction in general is the egregious use of recognizable foreign words to show the audience they're speaking another language when everything else is in English. Don't be doing that.

First fandom you wrote for?

Percy Jackson, I think. Self insert ofc, never posted anywhere.

Favorite fic you've written?

Doing the opposite of the way parents pic their favourite child and saying whichever was the last one.

tagging (no pressure!): @aquarianshift @boshemians @eveepe

[msclaritea]

"More than 130 people, including Gloria Steinem, and organizations in the field of women’s rights advocacy and domestic violence and sexual assault awareness have signed an open letter to support Amber Heard, who lost a defamation suit this year brought by her ex-husband, Johnny Depp, for an op-ed in which she said she was a “public figure representing domestic abuse.”

The letter, which was exclusively shared with NBC News ahead of its public release Wednesday, was signed by groups like the National Organization for Women, the National Women’s Law Center, Equality Now and the Women’s March Foundation. It was written by a group of people who identify as domestic violence survivors and supporters of Heard."

ORGANIZATIONS

Aidileys • Associazione Iroko Onlus • Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE)  •  CCChat Magazine  • Custody Peace • Cyber Civil Rights Initiative • Center for Safety and Change  • Clearinghouse on Women's Issues  Crumiller  • The Feminist Litigation Firm •  Democratic Activists for Women Now •  Engendered Collective •  EnoughIsEnough Voter Project • Equal Rights Advocates • Equality Now • Esperanza United (formerly Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network) •  Every Voice Coalition • Fearless! Hudson Valley, Inc. • Female Filmaker Fuse • Feminist Majority Foundation • Futures Without Violence • C.A. Goldberg, PLLC, Victims' Rights Law Firm • Hope's Door •  Know Your IX • LIFT: Living in Freedom Together, Worcester • Ms. Magazine •The National Organization for Women • The National Organization for Women: Virginia Chapter • National Women’s Law Center • Refuge: for Women & Children. Against Domestic Violence. •  Réseau International des Mères en Lutte • Sakhi for South Asian Women • Sanctuary for Families  • Sexual Violence Prevention Association • The Asian Feminist • The Mary Sue • The Safe Center LI • UltraViolet • Victim Focus • Violence Free Minnesota •  WeSpoke • Women's March Action • Women's March Foundation • Women’s Equal Justice Project •

INDIVIDUALS

Renée B. Adams, 

Professor, University of Oxford

Dr. Esohe Aghatise, 

Executive Director, Associazione Iroko Onlus

Cheryl A. Alexander, 

L.I.C.S.W., RMT

Aisha Ali-Khan, 

British Women’s Rights Campaigner, Women United Organisation 

Sara Ahmed, 

Independent Scholar, Author, “Complaint!”

Kate Amber, 

PgCert, Founder, End Coercive Control USA

Dr. Adrienne Barnett, 

Reader in Law, Brunel Law School, Brunel University London

Dr. Nicole Bedera, 

Sociologist

Nicole Bell, 

Founder and CEO, LIFT Living in Freedom Together

Panayiota Bertzikis,

CEO/Founder Military Rape Crisis Center

Amy Betts,

Founder of Aidileys - Rights, Family Court Information Services   

Antoinette Bonsignore, J.D., 

Legal and Prosecutorial Analyst, Case Systems Training Review Program, Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission

Anna Boucher, 

Associate Professor in Public Policy and Political Science (LSE) and admitted Solicitor, Supreme Court NSW, Australia

Lindsey Boylan, 

Women’s Rights Activist

Dr. Stephanie Ann Brandt MD, 

Faculty and Chairman, Ethics Committee, New York Psychoanalytic Institute New York, NY, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, Experienced Forensic Evaluation and Testimony in Family, Supreme and Federal ( EDNY + SDNY ) Child focused Litigation

Susan J. Brison, 

Eunice and Julian Cohen Professor for the Study of Ethics and Human Values, Dartmouth College

Professor Ann Bartow, 

University of New Hampshire School of Law. 

Laura S Brown, Ph.D. 

ABPP, psychologist in private practice, past President, APA Division of Trauma Psychology and Society for The Psychology of Women

Dr. Kari Brozowski 

Associate Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University 

Twiss Butler, 

Feminist

Rachel Camp, 

Professor from Practice and Co-Director, Georgetown University Domestic Violence Clinic (title for identification purposes only)

Nancy Chi Cantalupo, 

Associate Professor of Law, Wayne State University Law School (title and institution provided for identification purposes only)

Kali Casab, 

The Voices and Faces Project

Lauren B. Cattaneo, 

Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, George Mason University

Gillian Chadwick, 

Professor of Law, Washburn University School of Law

Debra Chopp, 

Clinical Professor of Law, University of Michigan Law School

Seo-Young Chu 

Associate Professor Queens College, CUNY

Andrew Thomas Cicchetti, 

Ph.D. LCSW-R

Dr. Christine Marie Cocchiola, 

DSW, LCSW Coercive Control Advocate, Educator, Researcher & Survivor

J.V. Connors 

Ph.D. New Mexico licensed psychologist 

Dr. Elizabeth Dalgarno, 

SHERA Research Group

Michele Landis Dauber, 

Frederick I. Richman Professor of Law, Stanford Law School (title and institution for identification purposes only)

Ella Dawson, 

Author

Drew Dixon, 

Producer, Activist

Margaret B. Drew, 

Associate Professor of Law, UMass Law School

Prof. Dr. Jennifer Drobac

Danielle Pelfrey Duryea

Boston University School of Law (institution for identification purposes only)

Erin Dwyer-Frazier, 

Attorney and Domestic Violence Advocate

Heidi Eilers, Ph.D.,

BCBA-D, CCTP, Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional

Aliaa Magda Elmahdy,

Egyptian internet activist and women's rights advocate  

Deborah Epstein, 

Agnes Williams Sesquicentennial Professor of Gender, Violence, and Law, Georgetown Law University Center

Ray Epstein, 

President/Founder of Student Activists Against Sexual Assault at Temple University

Heidi Li Feldman, 

Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center

Bill Flack, 

Professor of Psychology, Bucknell University

Professor Michael Flood

Queensland University of Technology

Terry Forliti, 

Communication Coordinator for Upside Sex Trafficking Initiative, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Jaclyn Friedman, 

editor of “Yes Means Yes” and “Believe Me”

Professor Aisha K. Gill, Ph.D. 

CBE | Professor of Criminology

Professor Leigh Gilmore, 

Ohio State University, Author, “The #MeToo Effect: What Happens When We Believe Women”

Lisa Goodman, 

Ph.D., Professor, Boston College

Leigh Goodmark, 

Marjorie Cook Professor of Law and Co-Director, Clinical Law Program

Cynthia A. Graham, 

PhD, C. Psychol, Professor of Sexual and Reproductive Health  

Gretchen Grappone,

LICSW PTSD Clinician & Trainer  

Julie Green, 

Research Assistant, Violence Against Women and Children team, Department of Social Work, The University of Melbourne

Min Grob, 

Founder CCChat Magazine 

Kit Gruelle, 

Advocate, Survivor, Film Subject for HBO Documentary Private Violence

Emiliana Guereca, 

Founder and Executive Director Women's March Action and Women's March Foundation

Kayla Harder 

Founder, Survivors Righting Wrongs 

Yasmeen Hassan, 

Global Executive Director, Equality Now

Tirion Havard, 

Associate Professor, England UK

Judith L. Herman, M.D., 

Professor of Psychiatry (Part Time), Harvard Medical School

CarlLa Horton, M.P.A., 

Executive Director, Hope’s Door

Emily Mia Hughes-Smith,

MBACP. BSc(hons) dip. Sup

Doreen Hunter, 

Co-Founder, Americas Conference to End Coercive Control (ACECC)

Holly Jacobs, PhD 

Founder, Board Member, Cyber Civil Rights Initiative

Hans Johnson, 

President, East Area Progressive Democrats

Sheherezade Kara

International Human Rights Jurist and Consultant, human-writes.org 

Dr. Emma Katz, Ph.D., 

Senior Lecturer, Liverpool Hope University, UK

Mara Keire 

Senior Research Fellow, Rothermere American Institute, University of Oxford, UK

Dr. Margaret Kertesz, 

Senior Research Fellow, University of Melbourne

Farrah Khan, 

CEO Possibility Seeds 

Amanda Kippert, 

Editor-in-Chief, DomesticShelters.org, Co-Host, Toxic the Podcast

Judge Judy Harris Kluger, 

Executive Director, Sanctuary for Families

Dean Laurie Kohn, 

George Washington Law School 

Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier, 

Executive Director, Fearless! Hudson Valley, Inc.

Dr. Ingeborg Kraus, 

Clinical Psychologist, Psychotraumatologist

Lauren Krouse, 

Writer & Survivor-Victim Advocate  

Afsana Lachaux, 

Activist & British Women’s Rights Campaigner.

Dr Rhiannon Lane, 

Research Fellow in Sociology, Cardiff University

Julianna Lee, 

Clinical Assistant Professor of Law, University of Michigan Law School

Geraldine Lee-Treweek ,

Professor of Social Justice at Birmingham City University, UK, specialist in Abuse Studies and Psychotherapist. 

Dorchen A. Leidholdt, Esq., 

Director, Center for Battered Women’s Legal Services at Sanctuary for Families

Edward Lloyd, 

Evan M. Frankel Clinical Professor Emeritus in Environmental Law, Columbia University School of Law

Dr. Laura E. Ludtke, 

Independent Scholar

Linda MacDonald, 

Persons Against Non-State Torture, co-author "Women Unsilenced Our Refusal To Let Torturer-Traffickers Win"

Catharine A. MacKinnon, 

Elizabeth A. Long Professor of Law at Michigan Law, and the long-term James Barr Ames Visiting Professor of Law at Harvard Law School (all titles for identification purposes only)

David Mandel, 

Executive Director, Safe and Together Institute

Jane Manning, 

Director, Women’s Equal Justice Project

Omny Miranda Martone, 

Founder & CEO of Sexual Violence Provention Association 

Joan Meier, 

National Family Violence Law Center, Professor of Clinical Law, George Washington University Law School

Carolyn Modeen, 

Sun Cities West Valley NOW

Amy Myers, 

Acting Director, Gender Justice Clinic, Washington College of Law (for identification purposes only)

Natalie Nanasi, 

Associate Professor, SMU Dedman School of Law, Director, Judge Elmo B. Hunter Legal Center for Victims of Crimes Against Women

Laura Beth Nielsen, JD, Ph.D., 

Professor & Chair, Department of Sociology, Northwestern University, Research Professor, American Bar Foundation, President, Law and Society Association, Author, “License to Harass: Law, Hierarchy, and Offensive Public Speech” (titles for identification purposes only)

Emer O'Toole, Ph.D., 

Professor, Concordia University

Natalie Page, 

#TheCourtSaid Founder, Survivor Family Network Director

David Palumbo-Liu, 

Louise Hewlett Nixon Professor, Stanford University

Reena Parikh, 

Director of Civil Rights Clinic, Boston College Law School (title for identification purposes only)

Moira Penza,

Attorney, Former federal prosecutor, Eastern District of New York; led NXIVM investigation and trial  

Jaime Cabeza Pereiro, 

Professor of Labor and Social Security Law, University of Vigo

Mary Peterson, 

PhD candidate & Activist Specialising in Fighting Sexual Harassment in Academia 

Alison Phipps, 

Professor of Sociology, Newcastle University

Christie Pitts

Alexa Polar,

Writer, Producer, Director & Founder of Female Filmakers Fuse 

Nicole Prause, Ph.D., 

Senior Statistician, University of California, Los Angeles (title for identification purposes only)

Dr. Charlotte Proudman, 

Barrister and Academic

Dr Shivaun Quinlivan

Associate Professor, University of Galway

Professor Tracey Raney, 

Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada

Anne K. Ream, 

Activist and Founder of The Voices and Faces Project

Laura Richards 

BSc, MSc, MBPsS, Criminal Behavioural Analyst 

Jennifer Robinson, 

Australian human rights lawyer and barrister at Doughty St Chambers, U.K. counsel to Amber Heard, author of How Many More Women? 

Diane Rosenfeld, 

Lecturer on Law, Director, Gender Violence Program, Harvard Law School

Lily Kay Ross, MDiv, Ph.D. 

Feminism and Ethics Research Fellow, Psymposia

David A. Santacroce, 

Clinical Professor of Law, University of Michigan Law School

Jeanne Sarson, 

co-author, “Women Unsilenced Our Refusal To Let Torturer-Traffickers Win,” Co-Founder Persons Against Non-State Torture.

Purna Sen, 

Ph.D. Visiting Professor, Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit, LMU Special Advisor to the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court

Dr. John Simister, 

Ph.D., Domestic Violence and Economics Researcher, Senior Lecturer, Business School Manchester Metropolitan University

Ann Simonton, 

Founder Director of Media Watch: For Improving image of Women in Media

Rita Smith, 

National Expert on Violence Against Women, Former Executive Director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)

Rachel Louise Snyder, 

Professor, American University, Author, “No Visible Bruises”

Evan Stark, Ph.D., MSW, 

Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University

Gloria Steinem, 

Writer, Activist

Leslie Morgan Steiner, 

Advocate, Author, “Crazy Love”

Ruth Silver Taube, 

Adjunct Professor of Law, Santa Clara University, Legal Services Co-Chair, South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking, Delegate, Santa Clara County’s Human Trafficking Commission (all titles for identification purposes only)

Dr. Jessica Taylor, 

Chartered Psychologist, CEO of Victim Focus

Alison Turkos, 

Survivor + Advocate

Vanessa Tyson, 

Associate Professor of Politics, Scripps College

Robin West, J.D., 

Professor of Law, Georgetown Law School

Merle Weiner, Philip H. Knight Professor of Law,  University of Oregon (title for identification purposes only)

Constance Wu,

Actor and author

Sophia Yen, M.D., 

Adolescent Medicine Specialist, CEO/Founder of Pandia Health

Amy Ziering, 

Filmmaker

SO MANY ORGANIZATIONS ARE MERELY FRONTS FOR VARIOUS AGENDAS OR TAX SCAMS. AT LEAST NOW I KNOW WHY WRITERS FROM THE MARY SUE HAVE JOINED IN HARASSING BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH. AMBER HEARD IS A TRAINED PROSTITUTE/KOMPROMAT COLLECTOR.

[azednews-blog]

Best LPN Programs in Chicago

Consider enrolling in LPN programs in Chicago if you're interested in launching your nursing career. Hospitals, clinics, home health, and nursing homes can benefit from these programs. In addition, you can earn a decent income in these settings. You can get started as a nurse in Chicago's vibrant healthcare scene with this practical and efficient program.

It's easy to find an LPN training program that will meet your particular needs, regardless of whether you want to take online courses or attend campus classes.

List of Top LPN Programs in Chicago

Harper College

Palatine, Illinois

A limited-enrollment, four-semester LPN program at Harper College includes classes like human anatomy, advanced pharmacology, and psychology of human development, along with clinicals in medical-surgical, PN fundamentals, and maternity and pediatrics in the state-of-the-art nursing lab. Harper College also offers stackable certificates, such as Nursing Assistant and Military Medical Corpsman to PN, that can be applied toward a degree.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

Total Tuition: $5,073

Credits: 38

Oakton Community College

Des Plaines, Illinois

On our list of LPN programs in Chicago, Oakton Community College offers classroom, lab, simulation hospital, as well as hands-on experience in a health care facility. Students will learn therapeutic communication, assessment techniques, principles of evidence-based practice, and pharmacology, while integrating legal and ethical principles.

Total Tuition: $5,177

Credits: 38

Moraine Valley Community College

Palos Hills, Illinois

A LPN licensure option is included in the Moraine Valley Community College associate's degree in nursing. Students who complete the first year of the ADN program and the nursing transitions course are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam. Among the classes offered to first-year students are pharmacology and disease processes, nursing concepts, special topics, nursing arts, and OB/medical-surgical clinics.

Total Tuition: $5,502

Credits: 42

Black Hawk College

Moline, Illinois

Located on the Quad-Cities Campus in Moline, Black Hawk College's practical nursing program operates in a 55,000-square-foot Health Sciences Center with three patient simulator mannequins, 24 hospital beds, and an ambulance. In addition to anatomy, communications, and pre-algebra, the 40-credit curriculum emphasizes geriatrics with classes such as older adult nursing, pharmacology, and intergenerational nursing.

Total Tuition: $5,960

Credits: 40

Malcolm X College

Chicago, Illinois

Only Malcolm X College offers the Advanced Certificate program for practical nursing within the City Colleges of Chicago system. Taking classes like medical careers terminology, human structure and function, nursing practice, nursing process, multicultural society, and communications, co-eds are able to transfer 49 credits toward an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing.

Total Tuition: $6,507

Credits: 49

Joliet Junior College

Morris, Illinois

Joliet Junior College offers one of the most rigorous LPN programs in Chicago with 18 hours of classroom and clinical instruction each week and 20 hours of prep and study. The college's first-time pass rate for the NCLEX in 2019 was 99%. It includes classes such as principles of biology, rhetoric, principles of normal nutrition, and pediatric nursing concepts in the 46-semester hour curriculum.

Total Tuition: $6,808

Credits: 46

John Woods Community College

Quincy, Illinois

For a nursing certificate from John Woods Community College, students must complete 31 general education requirements, including biology, anatomy, microbiology, elementary statistics, and psychology, as well as two semesters of nursing classes (including LPN Scope of Practice). Additionally, JWCC offers associate degrees in nursing, office technology (medical option), and surgical technology, as well as certificates in medical assistant, medical office, and nursing assistant.

Total Tuition: $9,291

Credits: 57

North Shore College

Chicago, Illinois

As the former Northbrook College of Health Care, this private institution in Wheeling only offers an LPN program, along with 244 theory and lab hours. With 1050 hours of coursework in anatomy and physiology, nursing foundation, nursing care for chronically and acutely ill patients, pediatrics, and developing families, as well as leadership and medication administration, North Shore College's fast track program can be completed in 11 months.

Accreditation: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of Illinois Board of Higher Education.

FAQS

1. What sets apart Registered Nurses (RNs) from Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)?

The primary role of LPNs is to provide basic nursing care focusing on patient comfort, while the primary role of RNs is to administer medications and treatments as well as offer educational guidance to patients and the general public. ADN and BSN degrees can be earned online by LPNs in significantly less time and at a lower cost than traditional programs.

2. Who are LPNs in the nursing field?

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide basic patient care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs), physicians, and other healthcare professionals. In addition to providing direct patient care, they facilitate communication between patients, families, and healthcare teams.

Conclusion 

With all the LPN programs in Chicago mentioned above, you can become a nursing professional and earn a good salary. To be admitted, you must meet their eligibility requirements and other criteria.

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Chicago men's health

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[bunkershotgolf]

Spiegel Takes Over at PGA Tour Superstore

By ED TRAVIS

It’s been just a few months since Jill Spiegel took over the job as President of PGA Tour Superstores and already her presence and leadership style are being felt.

Spiegel succeeded Dick Sullivan, the former President, and Chief Executive Officer, who moved into the spot of Executive Chairman and CEO. Sullivan, who is considered by many to be one of the top golf retailing executives in the country, oversaw PGATSS growth to become of the largest specialty golf and tennis retailer.

The promotion to President makes Spiegel one of the highest placed women in the golf industry and she brings to the position more than ten years of experience with the company, most recently as the PGATSS Senior Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer.

Michigan native Spiegel’s first job at PGATSS when she started in 2011 was Vice President Merchandising Soft Goods. Prior to that she held merchandising positions at Belk Department stores and was Vice President of Planning for New York-based Macy’s.

In an exclusive interview during the recent PGA Show Spiegel was frank in her assessments and how she plans to move store sales upward capitalizing on the steep growth over the past two years when PGATSS sales doubled.

She immediately emphasized a primary focus in the new year will be on customer club fittings with a revamped approach to the instore Studio experience in all their locations. This has already begun with additional training for club fitters and a multimillion-dollar investment in the Fitting and Services departments plus, and certainly a marker of the depth of commitment to employee education, a new Performance Training Center for store associates has opened.

Spiegel’s most revealing comment was, “We’re here to help the game’s growth through the relationship of our store associates have with customers.” Part of the relationship building will be the continuation of programs to bring new golfers into the game especially women and juniors.

Growth plans for this year include opening eight new stores in among other locations Raleigh, Oklahoma City, Boise, and Chicago. The same number were opened in 2022, all in cities where PGATSS did not have a presence and at the end of 2023 will bring the total number to 64.

In an aside Spiegel also pointed out women like to shop for apparel at PGATSS. She said there are large differences between selling golf clothing and golf clubs and a different focus is required. With a much shorter lifecycle than hard goods apparel must have the latest styling and a large brand assortment which requires seasoned apparel buyers on staff, tight inventory control with frequent markdowns plus creative display and knowledgeable personnel.

Its clear golf attire has become a lifestyle choice for many, and Spiegel said in fact that at some of their warm weather resort locations women’s apparel outsells men’s upending the usual thinking.

As the official retailer of Women’s Golf Day, PGATSS is a longtime supporter of growing the game and have a companywide program for young women called “Girls Got Drive.”

For PGATSS growing the game is not just a nice sounding phrase and hasn’t been for a number of years. Each store offers weekly no cost clinics to juniors plus there is additional support to organizations introducing women into our sport such as “She Who Golfs,” “Fore the Ladies, and “Women on Course.”

Spiegel also commented on the First Tee life and leadership training as well as golf instruction and how her company will continue to be involved.

For the third-year store general managers in conjunction with local First Tee chapters will teach a Leadership Series for teens. Upon completion of the Series, 40 students will be tapped to attend a First Tee Summit at PGATSS owner Arthur Blank’s West Creek Ranch in Montana. Four scholarships of $20,000 will be awarded at the Summit.

Plus, this year for the first time, in addition to the 40 students selected for participation in the Montana Summit, 48 students will be selected to participate in the week-long inaugural Atlanta Leadership Academy to be held in June.

An example of PGATSS’s progressive thinking a trial instituted at the new Milwaukee Wisc. store memberships to the nine simulator hitting bays have been sold. Seating behind the bays encourages friends and family to watch and play games on the simulators together. Spiegel said this was “not unlike a Topgolf entertainment center though on a much smaller scale and serves to foster socialization around the golf experience in a group activity.” It becomes one more step to involve new people in the game potentially converting them to oncourse play and purchase of apparel and equipment.

Spiegel also noted that pickleball racquet and ball sales are “exploding” reflecting the enormous increase in those playing and general interest in the game. This was apparent at the PGA Show where pickleball courts drew a constant crowd of attendees watching exhibition matches that included Tiger Woods’ former golf instructor Hank Haney.

Jill Spiegel steps into Dick Sullivan’s role as leader of an aggressively growing company that is a recognized leader in golf retailing and committed to programs making the game more inviting to women and juniors and turning nonplayers into players.

[deanstead]

Stay

Pairing: Connor Rhodes x Reader

Requested: yes, by anon

Summary: Y/N finds out Connor’s been offered a place at Mayo on the same day she was offered a job in Boston.

Word Count: 1,609

Warnings: idiots in love

A/N: I think it turned out a little different than the original request but this was what I could come up with… And if it sucks, I’m sorry but here it is!

CONNOR RHODES MASTERLIST

“We could really do with a pediatric trauma surgeon of your caliber. Think about it.” The words reverberated in your head, long after the conversation was over.

You’d just finished a long surgery when you’d been approached by someone from the Boston’s Children Hospital. Someone who had just offered you a job. It was an amazing opportunity and anyone would be hard-pressed to say no, especially someone in your specialty.

You glanced across the ED at Connor who had just stepped out of a treatment room, taking off his gloves. You shook your head at yourself. “Focus, Y/N.” You muttered to yourself, the logical side of you brain reminding you that you weren’t someone who turned down amazing job offers because you were pining over your friend.

“Dr Y/L/N!” Maggie’s voice rang out across the floor and you spun around, heading towards the entrance to meet your next patient.

You pushed open the doors, barely stepping out of the building when you heard Connor and Ava’s voices.

“You got an offer tonight, didn’t you? That guy in the PICU?” Ava was staring straight at Connor.

“Mayo Clinic.” Connor answered, barely blinking as he studied Ava.

You wanted to turn away, you were practically screaming at your body to turn away, to get back inside or at least start walking to your car, but you just stood there frozen, like you needed to see what happened next, to hear what Connor told Ava.

“Would you take it?” Connor asked Ava, who stared at him in the eye and replied that she would, no hesitation in her voice.

Connor nodded. “Great.”

Your heart sank. He’d made the decision, before he’d told you.

It wasn’t like you had any say in Connor’s life, but you’d always thought you guys were close. At least close enough for him to tell you that he’d been offered, much less that he was taking a job that would take him away from Med, from Chicago, from you.

As Connor walked to his car, you pulled up your hood and headed to yours, getting in and driving the opposite direction to Molly’s.

“Hey, everything okay?”

You looked up, tearing your eyes away from the card that was sitting on the table next to your beer, as Will slid into the seat opposite you.

Molly’s was almost empty, save for a table that still had a few Intelligence members as well as some of the firefighters that were sitting scattered along the bar. You were just glad Connor hadn’t come here tonight.

Will’s eyes flicked to the card on the table before he looked back up at you.

“Going somewhere?”

You could tell he was struggling to keep his voice neutral.

You looked back up at him. “I don’t know yet.”

Will frowned but didn’t say anything. “Have you told Connor?”

You shook your head. “You’re the only person who knows.”

Will raised his eyebrows. “What’s stopping you from taking it?”

You sighed. That was a damn good question. “Well, for starters, don’t think Ms Goodwin or everyone else will appreciate me leaving for Boston after Connor leaves for Mayo.”

“Mayo…? What are you talking about?”

You took a swig from your bottle before you rested your chin in your hands, still looking down at the table. “Connor got an offer from Mayo Clinic. And I think he’s going to take it.”

“He told you he’s going to take it?” Will asked.

You shook your head. “He told Ava.” You paused, exhaling as Will gave you a look. “I wasn’t eavesdropping, they were talking in the street. He didn’t tell me anything. Look.”

You shook your phone at Will to show him that Connor hadn’t called or even sent you a text.

“Whatever.” You took another drink.

Will gave you a pointed look. “Not whatever. Alright, let’s do this. We’re taking Connor out of the equation.”

You raised your eyebrows back at him. “Close your eyes. Connor doesn’t exist here, not right now. I don’t even exist. What do you want?”

You inhaled as you closed your eyes, the sounds of clinking glasses and soft voices fading almost into the background. “I hate Boston.”

Will smiled. “You took him out of the equation, right?”

You shrugged. “At least I’ll have you here with me, right?”

Will just clinked his bottle with yours. “Of course.”

You were just putting your bag into your locker and pulling on your white coat when Connor walked in.

“Hey.”

You smiled, although you were pretty sure the smile didn’t reach your eyes. “Morning.”

“I heard about Boston.” Connor said.

You closed your eyes before you closed your locker and turned to look at him. “It’s a good opportunity, Y/N. You could have told me.”

A wave of disappointment washed over you and you stared back at him in disbelief, not sure if you were disappointed that he hadn’t asked you to stay, if you were pissed about him saying that you could have told him, or if you were pissed that he still wasn’t talking about Mayo when this was the perfect opportunity for him to do it.

“Good opportunity, huh?” You echoed.

Connor nodded, closing his own locker. “Isn’t it?”

It took a lot more effort to swallow the anger now. “Maybe I’ll take it then.” You turned and walked out straight to the nurses’ station, leaving Connor alone in the lounge.

Connor’s eyes followed you, even as you stood there talking to April and he sighed. That was the right thing to do, because no matter how much he wanted you to stay, he couldn’t possibly stand in the way of your future.

Will broke his train of thought as he pushed the door in. “Hey.”

Connor nodded and smiled, as Will glanced at him. “So I heard about Mayo. Congrats.”

Connor frowned, turning to look at him. “Wait… Ava told you?” The confusion in his voice was so stark, Will looked up.

“No… Y/N…” Will paused, the pieces clicking together. “You guys haven’t talked.” It was a statement, not a question.

“Connor. Talk to her.” Will said before he left the lounge as well.

You were about to put a frozen pasta into your oven when your doorbell rang.

“Connor? What are you…” He barely even let you finish your question before he stepped forward and into your apartment.

“You don’t even like Boston.” Connor said.

You frowned. “What?”

Connor turned to look at you. “You don’t even like Boston. You’d hate it there.”

“What’s gotten into you? It was barely 10 hours ago that you were telling me how much of a great opportunity it is. Like you can’t wait for me to get out of Chicago.” You snapped.

Connor frowned.

“Besides, why do you care whether I go to Boston or not? You won’t even be here. If anything, Will should be the one protesting.” You said. This conversation was getting weirder by the second.

“Wait. You think…” Connor paused, looking at your expression.

You turned away. “What do you want, Connor? You want to tell me now not to take the job? After you’ve taken the job at Mayo?” You paused as Connor’s expression shifted. “Yes, I know about Mayo. I don’t… You couldn’t even be bothered to tell me.”

Connor heard your voice crack but you weren’t done. “I get it, you’ll meet new people, new colleagues, new friends. But how sure are you about it? What if you go there and things aren’t better. Chicago is your home and I thought…”

Even your arguments sounded lame.

You sighed, stepping backwards. Connor watched your shoulders sag like you’d been defeated. “I’m not taking the job.” Connor said.

You frowned and glanced at him. “You’re…”

Connor blinked back at you. “I’m not going. I didn’t take the job.”

You felt the sure signs of your face heating up.

“And I know this is selfish.” Connor continued. “But I don’t want you to take the Boston job.”

“Why?” You asked him. “Why did you change your mind?”

Connor shook his head. “I didn’t.” He paused. “I never wanted to go, I never wanted you to go. It just felt like the right thing to say as your friend. Then I realized you thought I was going to Mayo. That changed things.”

“Changed things?”

Connor stepped towards you. “Stay.”

“I…”

You couldn’t even tear your eyes away from Connor’s blue eyes. “My resolve to be a good friend crumpled when I thought about Chicago without you in it. Without being able to turn the corner and see you at the nurses’ station, or walk into Molly’s and see you having a drink.” Connor’s voice was soft now, his low voice the only sound in your apartment.

“I’m not going either.” You whispered. “Will asked me to take you out of the equation and make the decision but I couldn’t… Even if you’re the biggest jerk on the planet, I couldn’t.”

Connor closed the distance finally, standing right in front of you. “I love you, Y/N. I have, for quite some time. And I will continue to love you for a longer time.”

“Connor… I…”

Connor didn’t say anything, just leaned forward, one hand reaching around to your back to press his warm lips on yours.

“I couldn’t go anywhere if you’re here.” Connor whispered. “That’s why I didn’t tell you. Because I was never going to take the job.”

You blinked back at him. “So we’re staying? Both of us?”

Connor smiled back. “I think that’s best, don’t you?”

You just reached forward to put your arms around him, nuzzling into his embrace.

THANK YOU FOR READING!! PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF THIS!! SHARE WITH ME YOUR FAVOURITE LINE/PART IN ANY WAY YOU’RE COMFORTABLE!

I no longer have a taglist! If you would like to be updated with my writings, please drop by to give a follow to my new library blog @resaslibrary

[i-spaced-sorry]

Loved finding your blog. I had an idea for a request if you feel up to it: When Connor comes back to Chicago and takes the job at Med, he finds his high school sweetheart that he had last behind only leaving her a small note with this sister; she a member of the 21st & dating Kelly Severide, even though it’s obvious she & Connor still love each other 15 years later.

I don't know if this is exactly what you wanted, but this is what I came up with. Thanks for sending a request in and I'm sorry it took me so long to write it!

Discoveries and Apologies Connor Rhodes x Reader x Kelly Severide

Since the day he hopped on a plane and fled Chicago, all Connor wanted to do was come back. It wasn’t that he didn’t like Minnesota, he really did. He did great work at the Mayo Clinic, but it just wasn’t the ED at Chicago Med. 

So the day he stepped foot back in ED as the “new” Emergency Cardiologist surgeon he was as happy as could be. 

“Incoming GSW patients with police escort, meaning it’s one of their own. Connor you’ll be with the first ambulance and Will you’ll be with the second ambulance” called out Maggie

When Connor saw the patient being wheeled in his heart stopped for a second. Laying before him on the gurney was none other than Y/N, aka his high school sweetheart. 

“On my count, 1…2…3…move!” Refocused Connor professionally. 

Once she was assessed and had surgery he sat in her room waiting for her to wake up. He knew he should attend to patients, but he just couldn’t leave her to wake up alone. 

When Y/N’s eyes fluttered open, she looked around and noticed he ex high school sweetheart sitting in the chair beside her. 

“Connor?” She asked tentatively. 

Connor shot up and began taking her vitals and spoke, “Y/N! Your vitals are good. How are you feeling?”

She stared at him like he was crazy and responded, “I’m fine. Since when did you work here? Last I heard from you was through a letter. Via my sister”

Replying softly, Connor sighed, “I’m sorry about that. I was an ass back then, I loved you and was scared, so I ran.” Trying to change the subject, he added, “So, I see you work for the 21st now” 

“You hurt me Connor! And I’ve worked at the 21st, for a year now, I really enjoy it!” explained Y/N .

They fell into awkward silence, when Y/N spoke through gritted teeth, “aren’t you suppose to update the members of the 21st who are in the lobby or something? Why are you just staring at me.”

Shaking himself out of his staring, Connor spoke, “of course, I’ll be right back.”

And with that, he walked out the door and bumped right into Kelly Severide. 

“Omygod! Is she ok? I got a call that she was shot and I’ve been waiting for an update! Is she awake? Can I see her?” Spilled a scared Kelly. 

Looking quite confused, Connor put his hands on Kelly’s shoulders and spoke, “She is fine. It was a through and through. She needed stitches. But she is okay. She is awake and you can see her”

And with that, he turned right back around and opened the door to your room. 

“Y/N, you have a visitor”

And he stepped aside for Kelly to walk inside. 

“Baby! I was so worried!” Cried Kelly while running to your side. 

“Baby? Are you guys together?” Asked Connor, who was confused to say the least. 

“I’m fine baby! And yes Connor, I’m dating Severide. I don’t see why it concerns you when you literally dumped me via letter. Who the fuck even does that!” Replied an aggravated Y/N.

Backing out of the room, Connor shook his head and stated, “sorry, I’m happy for you guys really. I’ll be back later”

And with that he turned on his heels and sped out of the room. 

He couldn’t believe that he was such an idiot and now he had lost his chance with you. He still had huge feelings for you but you were with Severide and were still obviously pissed at him. 

“Connor, I need a consult in bay 3” called Choi while walking up to him.

Connor took one last look at your room, sighed, turned to Choi and followed him to bay 3 and thus leaving all feelings for you behind. 

[thebookreader12345]

Not Gone Yet

Pairing: Connor Rhodes x reader

Summary: Connor’s supposed to be taking a job at the Mayo Clinic, but when Y/N finds him back at work next shift, she questions why he didn’t leave

Requested: Yes, by anonymous

Warnings: slight swearing, mention of injuries

Word Count: 1,556 Words

It all started the day Connor and I first met. 

Flashback

I was waiting for the next patient to come through the ambulance bay doors. There had been a huge train accident, and dozens of people were being sent our way. All of the doctors had been given people to work on, and now it was just me. Just then, a gurney barreled through the double doors, and on top of my patient was a young, handsome looking man.

“28-year-old male with crush injuries, a severed artery, and massive blood loss,” the man informed me as I grabbed ahold of the gurney and escorted it into the nearest available trauma room. “I got a tourniquet on his right leg and tried to intubate, but I couldn't get his jaw open. He lost his pulse on the ride.” 

“Put him on our monitor and rapid transfuser,” I order the nearest nurse. “Also, grab 4 units of O-neg and start with a round of Epi.” 

“I already hit him with Epi twice. Still no pulse. He's in fib,” the man told me. 

“All right, I’ve got it from here,” I exclaim. 

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay,” the guy stated.

“If you don’t mind me asking, who the hell are you?” I retort.

“I'm the new trauma fellow,” the man replied. After the patient had been passed off to a surgeon, I went looking for the man who had helped me earlier, and I found him in an empty patient room attempting to do stitches on his bicep.

“You need some help?” I question.

The man shook his head. “Nope. I’m good.”

“Okay. And uh, thanks for the help earlier,” I say.

“It was no problem. I’m Connor Rhodes, by the way,” the man greeted me.

I smiled. “Y/N L/N.” I then looked down at his cut, and when I saw that his stitches were near perfect, I was tremendously impressed. “You closed that almost perfectly. Where'd you pick that up?” 

“Riyadh,” Connor replied. “I spent a year there after my residency. Saudis paid me well not to leave unsightly scars.” 

“Well, it was nice meeting you Connor. I hope to see you around,” I claim.

“Yeah. I hope so too,” Connor spoke with a smile.

Flashback End

That was a few years ago, and now, we were friends. Great friends. However, for me, there was always something a little more between us. I had gained feelings for my co-worker, and no matter how much I tried to get rid of them, they wouldn’t go away. So I hid them. And now, Connor was taking a job at the Mayo Clinic, and tonight we were having a going away party for him. I was milling around the little Hawaiian themed bar on the riverfront, talking to other co-workers and such, and when I finished greeting everyone that I needed to, I walked off to find Connor. I eventually found him on a little dock peering at the river down below, and I went to join him.

“You, sir, are missing your lei,” I tell him and slide the bright pink flower necklace over his head. “And you’re also missing out on your party. Whatcha doing here all alone?”

“Just thinking,” Connor responded and stared out at the water.

“About?” I question.

Connor shrugged. “A lot of different stuff, I guess.”

“Well, seeing as you’re my best friend, I am not going to let you sulk in the corner all night. This is the last time we’re going to get to hang out in who knows how long, and I’m going to make it worth every second. Come on,” I demand and lace my hand with his before dragging him back to the party. As the music’s volume loudened, I led Connor over to the designated dance floor and began to dance alongside some of my co-workers.

“What are you doing?” Connor asked and laughed.

“Dancing, and you’re making me look stupid, so please dance with me,” I say. Connor hesitated, but soon gave in, and together we moved to the beat of the music. Connor twirled me around before pulling me back into his arms, and then we just stayed there in each other’s embraces. I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my cheek on his shoulder, inhaling the familiar scent of his cologne. For a few minutes, we just stood there, holding each other tightly, neither of us wanting to let go. “I’m gonna miss you so much,” I murmur.

“I’m gonna miss you too,” Connor mumbled into my hair and gave me a soft squeeze. And that was the last night I was supposed to ever see my best friend. I took my next shift off so that I could gather myself before going back to work, because once I had left the party and made it back to my apartment, I was a sobbing mess. I changed into some comfortable clothes, climbed into bed, and then cried myself to sleep. It was hard losing a best friend, especially someone I was so close with like Connor. After a few days though, my break was over, which meant I had to get back to work. Part of me wanted to take another day off because I didn’t want to go back to the hospital and not see Connor, but the other half of me knew that it was time to get back to my normal routine. I promised myself I would text Connor later, and once I got dressed, I headed to the hospital. When I walked through the ED doors, memories of Connor and I doing the same hit me, but I pushed them away and tried to focus on something else, and that just happened to be the doctor with curly ginger hair standing a few feet away from me.

“Hey, Will,” I greet and lean against the nurses’ station next to him.

“Hey, Y/N. How was your break?” Will asked and set down the tablet he was looking at.

“Good,” I reply. “It was much needed. So, you got any good cases you need help on?”

Will laughed. “You haven’t even put your stuff away yet. Come see me after that and then we’ll see.” I nodded and made my way to the doctors’ lounge, desperate to shed my bag and jacket so that I could get a case that would distract me. However, when I entered the lounge, I froze in my tracks. There, standing not even a dozen feet away from me, was Connor Rhodes, clad in a pair of black scrubs.

“Connor?” I question.

Connor looked up from his phone, and when he saw me, he smiled. “Y/N, hey.” I dropped my bag to the floor and launched myself into his arms, squeezing him tightly. For a few seconds, we stayed in each others’ arms, but eventually, I pulled away.

“What the hell are you doing here? Why aren’t you gone yet? You’re supposed to be in Minnesota,” I point out.

“I know, but the board agreed to run my Hybrid OR project, and they wanted me to stay and run the program,” Connor explained.

I smiled. “That’s great. I’m happy that your project is taking off.”

“That’s not really why I decided to stay though,” Connor stated. “I decided to stay because of you.”

“W-what?” I stammer out as Connor grabbed ahold of my hands.

“I stayed in Chicago for you, Y/N. You’ve always felt like more than a best friend to me, and I didn’t want to pass up the chance to be with you. If you feel the same way, of course,” Connor added. Without hesitation, I leaned up and pressed my lips to Connor’s. He kissed back immediately, winding his arms around my waist to pull me closer. I melted into Connor’s body, enjoying the warmth that emitted from him, along with the way it felt to be kissing him. Our lips moved together in sync for as long as possible, until finally, we had to pull away to breathe. “I’m really glad you feel the same way,” Connor confessed.

“Me too. I uh, I actually have to get back out to the ED to help Will with a case, but can we meet up after shift?” I quiz and shove my things into my cubby.

“Of course,” Connor answered. “I can’t wait. I’ll see you later.”

“Yeah. See you later. Oh, and good luck with the OR,” I call out as I left the residents’ lounge. I made my way over to Will, who was grinning like an idiot, something he didn’t do too often. “What?” I ask.

Will nodded to Connor, who had just exited the lounge and was making his way to the elevator. “I saw that.”

“No you didn’t,” I argue, my face turning a deep shade of red.

“Except I did,” Will countered. “So, are you going to tell me what just happened, or do I have to go hit up Connor for the details?”

I laughed and shook my head. “Neither. What you are gonna do though is cough up that case you said you had so we can get to work.”

“All right, but this conversation isn’t over,” Will said.

“It is for now. So, what do we got?” I question and look at the tablet in front of Will.

________________________

Tag List:

@prettypyschoinpink @securityfriendly-jay @scarletsoldierrr @lorenakaspersen @virtualreader @carnationworld @caitsymichelle13 @king-crockett​

[rainbowchristy]

Let the Human In (Chapter Twelve - Unique)

Summary: It’s just a regular workday for Phil. Doing rounds with his patients, helping out with the occasional emergency department case. The only difference? He has one new patient in the ED. One found unconscious on the street. One who starts throwing up from seemingly nothing. One, with a very dark backstory and no hope for the future.

Or, Dan is being sex trafficked and Phil’s a psych resident who just wants to help, even if everyone around him is telling him he’s too invested.

A/N: This fic is heavily inspired by the character Danny Jones from Chicago Med but you don’t need to know anything about the show to read this!

TW: References to abuse, mentions of anxiety/panic attacks, references to eating disorders, references to schizophrenia & clinical descriptions of suicide attempts.

Ao3 Link

Chapter 1 | Last Chapter

-

Phil finishes his lunch and empties his tray. He decides it’s best for him to update Dr Forest on his patients before returning to Will. He knocks on her door and hears a faint, “come in.”

Pushing open the door, he sees the scattered papers on her left and the pile of folders on her right. The top file’s open and she glances at it before typing on her computer some more. Phil waits patiently for her to finish what she’s working on.

“Phil,” she says happily once she finishes typing and looks at him. “How are you?”

“Good. You?”

“Ah, good good. Chugging along. What can I help you with?”

“Just thought I’d do my daily check-in.”

She gestures for him to go on. He takes a seat in one of the armchairs across from her.

“Okay, so, Liz is doing really well. She ate all her breakfast, didn’t purge and didn’t feel guilty for not purging. She said she felt really good about it and acknowledged the improvement from when she came in.”

“That’s amazing progress. You must be very proud.”

“Of her, yeah. She’s made huge progress in such a short amount of time. She’s obviously still got a long way to go but if she keeps going, I reckon I’ll be recommending her discharge within a few weeks.”

Dr Forrest nods. “I’d be inclined to agree with that, after my own assessment, of course.”

“Of course,” Phil agrees before moving on. “Luke’s gotten used to his medication, though.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. He didn’t want to trust me at all.”

“So what did you do?”

“I decided to change his medication since that one wasn’t working anymore and it was already at its highest dose. I gave him two milligrams of risperidone and he’ll have another two tonight with dinner.”

She nods. “How’d he go taking the medication?”

“He didn’t want to, like, at all. I’m not really sure how I convinced him,” Phil admits honestly. He rubs the back of his neck and then rubs his thumb over the knuckles of his other hand.

“You have a way of calming people, Phil. It’s an important skill for us to have and you seem to have a naturally calming nature. I noticed it even when I first met you.”

Phil folds in on himself a little, unsure what to make of that. What on Earth did ‘naturally calming nature’ mean? He knew what each word meant and what they meant in that order, but how could she pick up on something like that? What did he do that was ‘naturally calming’?

It’s silent for a short while before Phil clears his throat, sitting himself back up straight. “There was a kid brought into the ED for a suicide attempt today so I tried to speak to him. He wasn’t the friendliest, though, so I didn’t get anything out of him. His parents filled me in on what they knew.”

After he fills Ruby in on Will’s situation, not that there is much to tell, he turns his focus to his last patient.

“I think Dan had a panic attack in the general ward so he had to be transferred back to the ICU. He went into RA but we aren’t sure why. He was also tied down.”

“What?” she says, interrupting him.

“Yeah!” Phil confirms, equally exasperated, “by security, too.”

Dr Forrest tuts and shakes her head. “It’s as if no one has read the hospital policy for psychiatric patients. I’ll talk to them about it again but it probably won’t make any difference.”

Phil nods before moving on. “I haven’t spoken to him much, just updating him on his clinical situation. He shut down on me though, no idea why, so I left and went for lunch.”

“What do you think you’ll do?”

“I’m going to try talking to Will again after this but I think I might just sit and tell him about myself,” he says, ending it in a question. “It helped him open up when he was first brought in and after he woke up from the coma, at least a little bit anyway.”

“Sounds like having the attention off of him is what he needs.”

“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking.”

Dr Forrest pauses for a moment. “Hang on, how come you’re talking to him and not one of the other doctors?”

Phil blinks before remembering – yet again – that he’s not Dan’s doctor anymore.

“Oh, right.” She raises her eyebrows. “When Dan woke up, I was called. I guess no one told the ICU that I’m not Dan’s primary anymore. But I kinda just did my job while I was there. I figured he’s not living with me yet anyway so it’s not really a big problem if I help out until things can get sorted. I guess I just forgot to tell anyone, what with everything going on.”

Ruby looks at him and Phil gets the feeling she doesn’t believe him. “Philip–” she starts and yep, she definitely doesn’t believe him, “it’s important Dan gets used to his new primary before being discharged.”

Phil nods, looking down as if he’s a child getting in trouble for eating the last cookie.

“Now, who do you think would work well as Dan’s new primary?”

Phil thinks. He’s got plenty of great colleagues but he can’t stop his immediate thought – none of them would do as well as he does with Dan. He feels bad for thinking that. They’ve all been working in psychiatry for longer than him; he knows logically they’re more qualified. But Dan, he trusts Phil, and Phil knows how important trust is in this line of business.

“Um, Cassie, maybe?” She’s a nice, young woman who finished her residency the year before Phil joined. Phil has the feeling that Dan will do better with someone younger as opposed to some of the older psychiatrists at UCH.

Ruby nods, seemingly happy with his choice. “Page her and see if she can take another patient.”

“Will do,” Phil answers.

He’s about to stand up to leave when Dr Forrest continues. “And how are you doing? I know you saw Michael yesterday. How did that go?”

Phil chooses to ignore how she knows he saw Michael yesterday. And wow, was that really just yesterday? It feels like a millennium ago. Though Phil supposes every day has felt twice as long since Dan first came into the emergency department.

“Good. I bought some games to play in my off-time.”

She smiles. “That’s good. It’s important to have things to do to de-stress, especially in jobs like our’s.”

“What do you do to de-stress?”

“Well, I’ve found art to be a good stress relief for me. I paint whatever’s on my mind to get it out into the real world. It’s easier to understand, that way.”

Phil nods. “I’ve never been much of an artist but I know lots of studies that show the benefits of art therapy.”

Ruby laughs and Phil tilts his head slightly, confused. “I remember when I was a resident, everything came back to what was and wasn’t empirically supported. It’s important, yes. But if something has no evidence one way or the other and seems to work for an individual, it’s worth pursuing. People are unique, no study can capture that.”

“Yeah, I suppose that’s true,” Phil says, thinking. He’s always been logical. Sure, he can have fun and be playful, but anything important always comes back to the facts. He never thought work would be any different. And it’s not like he’s got a textbook in front of him to treat his patients, but he is always referring back to what he knows as fact (or, at least, as close to fact as science can get).

It’s quiet for a bit while Phil thinks and by the time he reminds himself he’s in the middle of a conversation, Dr Forrest has already returned to her work. He decides to exit quietly but he does smile at her as he closes the door.

~~~~

Phil heads to the treatment room Will was assigned to.

“Hello,” Phil greets, closing the door behind him. Robin smiles at him in greeting but doesn’t say anything. Linda’s holding a crumpled tissue to her nose but manages to give him a watery smile. “How are you feeling?” he asks, turning his attention to his patient.

He’s on his side, facing Phil this time, but Phil guesses that’s only because the boy’s parents are on his other side. He shrugs, refusing to look at him. Phil follows his eyes and watches the drip drip drip of the IV.

Phil turns to his parents. “Would you mind if Will and I had some time alone?”

Robin shakes his head for the both of them and leads his wife from the room. Phil adjusts the curtain once the glass sliding door is closed.

“I’m Dr Lester,” Phil says, remembering he had yet to introduce himself to Will. “What’s your name?”

Will rolls his eyes. “Cut the crap. You know everything; there’s nothing for me to tell you.”

Phil smiles sadly. “Well, everything might be a bit of an exaggeration. I don’t know a lot of things. What I’m most interested in learning right now, though, is why you’re here.”

“You know why,” Will huffs. “If you're going to be annoying and ask questions, at least ask things you don’t know the answer to.”

Phil takes a seat now that he knows Will is actually up for talking. “Okay, sorry. Um, I know you were brought in because your dad found you in a,” he pauses to choose his words carefully, “in an unfortunate position. Would you like to tell me how you ended up there?”

After a sigh, Will looks at Phil for the first time. Phil watches as he scans him up and down, clearly sizing him up. “I wanted it to stop,” he says, apparently deciding Phil is safe enough.

“Wanted what to stop?” Phil prods.

“Everything.” Will rolls onto his back and stares at the ceiling. “The bullying, the arguing, everything.”

“Well let’s tackle one thing at a time. What do you mean ‘the bullying’?”

“At school. There’s a group of guys a few years above me.”

“And what do they do?”

“The usual. You know, teasing, calling me names,” he trails off his list.

Phil nods in understanding. “Have they ever hurt you physically?”

Will nods. “Just a couple of times. When I fought back; learnt not to do that pretty quick.” He laughs curtly.

“I’m sorry that happened to you.” He pauses, allowing Will time to say more if he wanted to. “Now, you mentioned arguing. What’s that about?”

“My parents. They think I don’t know but they’re always arguing. And it’s always about me.”

Phil instantly wonders if that’s hyperbolic, but it’s not his place to say. He’s supposed to listen to what Will’s perspective is. If that ends up not being the whole truth, then he helps Will realise that on his own. “And what do they say?”

“They just argue about what to do with me. Dad wants to send me off to some random military school but Mum wants me to stay home. I don’t know, I guess I just got sick of causing problems. It’s not like anyone would miss me anyway.”

Phil nods, jotting down a few random notes. He’d be more thorough in his proper write up after this chat. Besides, having someone take notes in the middle of a conversation can be pretty jarring, not to mention anxiety-provoking. “Do you think your parents would have saved you if they wouldn’t have missed you?”

Will shrugs, obviously not up for seriously entertaining the question. “I just make their life difficult. And I don’t want to, but I can’t help it.”

“What can’t you help, Will?”

His eyes widen and he looks at Phil. There’s a pause while he thinks.

“Look, I’m not going to do it again. Can you discharge me now?”

Phil gives a tight-lipped smile. “It doesn’t work that way, I’m afraid.”

Will sits up, anger written all over his face. “Why the hell not?” he shouts. “I said I won’t try again!”

“Because I need to properly assess you to evaluate your risk. Unfortunately, we can’t just take your word for it.”

“So you’re calling me a fucking liar? Some shrink you are.”

Phil blinks, unsure where this sudden change has come from. “I’m not calling you anything. I’m just trying to understand what’s happened to have you end up here. I can’t help if I don’t know what’s going on.”

“I don’t need your fucking help. Go get my parents. They’ll tell you to discharge me.”

Knowing he isn’t going to get any further while Will was in this mood, he nods. “Okay, I’ll come back later.”

“I wouldn’t fucking bother. I won’t be here much longer.”

Phil nods, not sure what to say. He decides just to leave and he waves to Will’s parents, signalling they could go back in. He’d have to talk to them again in a bit, see if he can’t get some more information out of them.

Will’s picture is still cloudy. There are so many gaps that just aren’t making sense. Though Phil supposes this is exactly why a part of him loves the job. He loves the job for lots of reasons, of course, but being able to piece together someone’s life to help them recover is a great feeling. Like putting in the final piece of a one-million piece puzzle.

~~~~

Phil checks in with Dan again but there’s little change. Whatever happened earlier is still playing on his mind because he won’t even look at Phil.

Still, he sits and talks with him. Well, more at him, since it’s a very one-sided conversation. Phil just tells him more stories about his life, most of them from his admittedly strange childhood. After a half-hour with no sign of life from Dan – other than the beeping of his heart monitor and the rise and fall of his chest – Phil resigns himself.

He has to remind himself that it’s only been a few days since Dan’s whole life got flipped on his head. Phil has to stop his train of thought and check, but it really has only been three days since Dan was brought in. Phil tells himself to give Dan more time. He’ll check in again tomorrow.

He ends up wandering around the psychiatric ward and the emergency department, making himself useful wherever he’s needed. While he’s on break to eat dinner, he gets a message from Kyle.

7:14 pm - From Kyle: I finish at 8. Bar tonight?

Phil smiles, glad Kyle’s messaged him. It means they’re okay. Maybe not good, but okay. But it’s a Sunday night and Phil honestly just wants his bed. He’s typing out an apology message when he stops. Michael’s words are ringing in his ear.

Remember to spend time with the people you care about.

Even if things are awkward between them, Phil does still care about Kyle and he knows Kyle cares about him.

He closes his eyes, sighs, deletes the message and sends an affirmative one instead. He’s finishing at the same time so it works out well. Most of the time one of them has to hang around for at least a couple of hours. Sometimes it’ll be too long and they decide to just meet at Marcus’, or forgo it entirely. Though the latter is reserved for nights after too-long shifts when they wouldn’t be any fun anyway. Marcus’ is a sort of staple in their life at this point and Phil’s glad their talk isn’t getting in the way of that.

After doing a final check-in with Liz and Luke – and having to convince him to take his medication again – he clocks out for the night.

“Hey!” he calls when he sees Kyle leaning against one of the pillars outside the hospital entrance.

He turns and smiles sheepishly. “Hey. Ready to go?”

Phil nods and they set off. It doesn’t take long to hail a cab. They walk most of the time since it’s not too far, but Kyle’s feet are “about to fall the fuck off” so they climb into the car instead.

The cabbie is familiar with Marcus’ bar and happily takes them there. He asks them about their day and Phil manages to make chitchat. Kyle, on the other hand, is silent and leaning against the door, looking as if he’s hoping the lock will break and he’ll tumble out of the car. Phil wonders why Kyle even asked him to go to Marcus’ when it’s clear he’s so uncomfortable in Phil’s presence. He decides not to question it and try to just enjoy the night.

They pull out outside Marcus’ after a few minutes and Phil hands the cabbie a £10 note, telling him to keep the change.

Kyle seems to light up once they enter the front door and Phil’s not sure where the sudden change comes from.

He grins at Phil and rushes over to the bar, hopping onto one of the stools with a bounce. “Marcus!” he says loudly over the music. Phil laughs as he follows him – it’s as if Kyle’s already drunk just from the atmosphere.

“The usual, lads?”

Kyle nods. “Times two!”

Phil takes his own seat as Marcus starts making their drinks. They both thank him when they’re served and Kyle takes a big gulp while Phil stirs his.

They sit in silence and enjoy their drinks for a bit. Though for Kyle, it seems more like a competition Phil never agreed to.

“No going slow tonight?” he asks with a laugh as Kyle empties his second glass. Phil’s is still on his first and it’s only half empty.

Kyle just blinks at him slowly. Phil watches his cheeks heat up and as Marcus comes back to hand Kyle his third drink, he puts his hand up. “No thanks, sorry.”

Marcus just nods and puts it down. “What’s up?” Phil asks, giving him the opportunity to discuss what’s on his mind without making it sound like he’s going to therapise him.

Kyle swivels his stool so it’s facing the bar instead of half facing Phil. He shrugs and leans over the bar to grab the drink. He takes a sip and puts it back down.

Everything’s off tonight. Phil can’t pinpoint why but it just is. The music doesn’t calm him in its usual way and the alcohol certainly doesn’t give him a pleasant buzz.

As he watches Kyle, who's watching the dance floor, he can’t help but wonder if Kyle’s cutting himself off to avoid a repeat of the other night. And if he is, Phil can’t blame him – he doesn’t want a repeat either.

-

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