“Alright,”he replied, hoping it would be a simple fix.
He listened to the exchange, then to O’Hara’s words. He nodded slightly at her explanation of lidocaine, though he’d already had a basic idea of what it was prior to her words. Then, he thought about if he’d felt anything like O’Hara was asking.
“Not necessarily. I can’t really breathe through my nose, but I think that’s inevitable. Otherwise, I believe it’s just this incessant headache,”he answered.
O’Hara nodded, jotting a few notes down on the paper beside his bed before looking back at him. “Well, the good news is that I don’t think you have a concussion. How in the world you escaped a severe blow to the head without one, I have no idea. But if it’s only your nose, and I can fix that when Jacks gets back with the lidocaine, your release should be within the next few hours.”
She sighed and tapped her heeled-foot impatiently. “Where is that damn woman? I would do it without the numbing agent, but it would hurt like hell for you.” She pursed her lips and frowned. “Dammit Jackie…”
“Luck, I suppose?”Nokhal’rok said with a chuckle.
“Alright.”
He appreciated O’Hara’s decision to wait on the lidocaine, but after a minute, he started to ponder what was going on. This ‘Jackie’ was clearly taking longer than she was supposed to, and O’Hara obviously didn’t approve.
He was tempted of asking about it, but he didn’t want to intrude on any drama going on. Not yet, at least.
O’Hara looked ready to go hunt her down when Jackie finally reappeared with a small container.
“Here,” she said, extending it towards O’Hara. The doctor took it and gave the nurse a brief up-and-down look.
“Thank you,” was all she said before letting the matter drop. It seemed strange that was all she said considering how long Jackie had taken and how irritated O’Hara had been only moments ago.
But the doctor was already moving on, applying the lidocaine generously around Nokhal’rok’s nasal area. “It should only take about a minute or so to start working,” she explained. “Let me know when you can’t feel it anymore.”
Nokhal’rok continued to wait patiently, then watched the interaction. It was quite odd how O’Hara didn’t chew Jackie out. Though, he wondered if they could be friends. That would make sense. Otherwise, he had no idea why the incident had been so… anticlimactic.
He winced a few times when O’Hara put the lidocaine on, simply because of how tender his poor nose was. He then waited until the pain subsided to basically nothing. A humorous thought came to him that, maybe, O’Hara had rubbed his nose off, but he knew that wasn’t true.
“It’s a disconcerting feeling, having a, mostly, painless broken nose. A pity the headache is still throbbing away,”he commented lightly when the lidocaine had kicked in.
O’Hara nodded as he essentially told her that the lidocaine was kicking in. “Yes, so I’ve been told before,” she remarked, pursing her lips a bit at the fact that his headache was still lingering. If there was no concussion, it should be fading away soon, if not now.
“Alright, don’t move,” she murmured. She placed her thumbs in each side of his nose, bracing her pressure with her fingers on his cheeks, and pushed quickly. A loud crack meant she had done her job well. “There we are,” she sighed easily, lifting her hands and moving to throw away her gloves. “Good as new.”
Since it would be easier for Nokhal’rok to smell, it was possible that he might still catch a scent of O’Hara’s perfume that she wore on her wrists.
Nokhal’rok obeyed her, staying as still as possible. It was strange having her fingers basically all over his face, but he just continued to hold still. Then, there was a loud crack, and like a wave of pressure being released, his headache subsided considerably. He could also, somewhat, breathe through his nose now, managing to just catch a whiff of lovely perfume before O’Hara moved away. He’d have to ask about it eventually, particularly when his sense of smell was closer to normal.
“Goodness! I guess my head was just complaining about my nose, because now I only have a dull ache. I can actually think now!”he said in relief, snickering cheerily.
O’Hara obliged his comments with a laugh. “That’s a relief. I’m nearly positive you don’t have a concussion. Though, to make sure, I’m going to have you stay for another few hours. It’s a basic procedure just to monitor and make sure no immediate problems occur before your release. And gives enough time for the numbness to wear off. In the meantime, are there any family members you'd like us to contact to let them know that you’re here? Friends? A spouse or romantic partner?"
Nokhal’rok smiled as she laughed, savoring the sound of it for a moment. He then gave a nonchalant shrug.
“That’s fine. I get it,”he replied.
He hesitated at the question about any contacts he might have. He wasn’t in a relationship, and his friends were more business partners than friends. Then, his family… He was the black sheep, the outcast, the strange one. Even though his family, particularly his parents, not so much with his brother, might appreciate the call, there would definitely be drama if they came. If they came.
“Um… not really. I do have family, but… bringing them here probably wouldn’t be the best idea,”he said quietly.
O’Hara quickly noticed the change in his demeanor when he spoke of his family. She hesitated a moment before placing her manicured hand on top of Nokhal’rok’s and meeting his gaze evenly. "I understand," she murmured. "If I was in your situation right now, I wouldn't have anyone either. My mother still lives in England, and my sister lives in Paris. And I would resent anyone who would call my wicked stepfather if there was an emergency.”
She took an even breath before continuing. “What I’m trying to say is that I understand, and I'll be here if you need anything, and if you can't find me, have Jackie or somebody page me."
Nokhal’rok listened to O’Hara for a moment, grateful for her understanding. It was also intriguing that she was willing to share something as personal as details about family. Intriguing, and nice. It had been a bit since the last time he’d known someone that understood his situation.
“Thank you. Not many seem to get that my family is not perfect,”he said, gently putting his hand on top of hers to emphasize his gratitude.
“Though, would you tell Edmund that I’m doing alright? If you can. I don’t want him to worry too much,”he added after a moment.
O’Hara laughed shortly. “No family is perfect,” she remarked passively. A warm smile decorated her face as he covered her hand with his. It was strong and sure, sealing her slightly-smaller one between his.
The woman nodded easily. “Of course. I’ll tell him myself. If you’ll excuse me…” She slipped her hand out and shut the curtain behind her while she headed to the waiting room. Yet again, her leave for Nokhal’rok was signaled by the clicks of her Manolos just as they signaled her arrival for Edmund.
She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes slightly as she searched for him in the room before locking her gaze on the man sitting close to the door. “Edmund?” she asked as she approached him, just to make sure it was the right person.
“True,”Nokhal’rok replied with a snicker.
He smiled back at her, cradling her hand. His fingers were soft, even delicate, but there was definitely a hidden strength in them.
“Thank you, again,”he replied, watching her go.
He even listened to her leave, savoring the clicks of her shoes as she walked off. An idea came to him then. He’d have to buy her a present, and he suspected he knew what to get.
~~
Edmund was watching people move around the room when he spotted a pretty woman dressed as a doctor approaching. He stood to face her, nodding at her question.
“I am indeed Edmund. Do you have any news on Nokhal’rok? Is he doing well?”he asked.
O’Hara offered a reassuring smile. “Yes. He’s doing quite well. His nose has been properly put in place, and the blood transfusion has also been completed,” she explained.
This wasn’t normally news that she was able to give — good news. “He’s going to remain alone for a little while longer, but when he’s allowed visitors, I will let you know,” she finished.
Edmund took a deep breath of relief, holding a hand over his heart.
“I thank you, madam. I had honestly been worried there for a bit, considering how close it was to his appointment. Did the transfusion go well? Is he feeling better than before? I would hate for him to still be miserable,”Edmund couldn’t help asking.
After a moment, he sighed.
“I apologize for my rush of questions. I know you are a busy woman. I care for the boy very much, you see. He’s like a son to me, even though I am merely his employee,”he added, his voice a bit calmer and quieter.
O’Hara resisted pulling a face, as she had the desire to do whenever anyone called her ‘madam,’ ‘ma’am,’ or anything the like.
“Yes. I oversaw the transfusion myself, so I can truthfully tell you that it went very well. As far as I know, yes, he’s feeling better. His nose is back in place, as I said, and any residual headache has significantly subsided.”
The doctor couldn’t help the softened expression that appeared on her face. “Don’t worry about your questions. I’ve dealt with worse things, I assure you. I did speak with Nokhal’rok about you as well, and from what I can tell, you truly are more to him than just a humble employee.”
Edmund chuckled cheerily, even more relieved to hear that the transfusion had gone well. And, it was also good that Nokhal’rok was feeling better. That meant that this week would most likely be far nicer for him than the previous one.
“I can only imagine. And, yes. We have a bond that is quite similar to family. I met him when he was just a small boy, long before his anemia came along. I’ve looked after him whenever his family couldn’t, and he chose me to be his chauffeur because of that,”Edmund said, smiling slightly at some of the memories.
O’Hara nodded. She might not of truly understood Edmund and Nokhal’rok’s relationship and history, but she understood having a ‘not-family family.’ For her, it was Jackie and her daughters. Not so much Kevin. The man could be a real arse sometimes.
She offered a genuine smile before glancing back at the glass double doors she’d entered the waiting room through. “I’m sorry to leave so abruptly, but I have to get back. I’ll let you know if there are any new developments.”
“By all means, do not let me interrupt your work. I completely understand. And, I thank you again,”Edmund said.
He gave her a polite nod of farewell, then sat down. A small, happy smile lingered on his face.
~~
Nokhal’rok hadn’t moved since O’Hara had left. He’d just relaxed, silently daydreaming of buying a new pair of Manolos for O’Hara. Maybe, he might even sneak something Prada or Gucci in. He had a ton of money to waste, and he’d rather use it to dress up a pretty woman, or himself, than anything else. He was obsessed with fashion, after all.
O’Hara nodded back with a small smile. She turned and headed back into the ER.
Jackie intercepted the doctor as she was walking toward Nokhal’rok. “I need you.”
O’Hara stopped short. “For what?”
The nurse glanced around for a moment before shaking her head. “You know what, never mind,” she said shortly, heading off in the opposite direction.
O’Hara frowned before approaching Nokhal’rok’s bed and drawing back the curtain. “I just spoke to Edmund, and he’s pleased with your updates. Are you feeling better?”
Nokhal’rok was barely paying attention to his surroundings, primarily because of his continued daydreaming, so he didn’t notice the interaction between O’Hara and Jackie. Though, he heard those lovely clicking heels just before the curtain opened and he focused back on reality. A smile spread across his face at her words.
“That’s good. And, for the most part, I believe. I’ve just got the faintest reminder of a headache. Besides that, I feel fine,”he answered.
He had a sudden thought concerning his idea of buying her some new shoes. Would she appreciate it? Would she like them? Or did she have so many that another pair would just be a waste? Oh, why was his mind doing this to him now?
“Would you mind if I asked you a personal question?”he decided to ask.
Nokhal’rok didn’t really see the harm in trying to ask. Maybe, it would help ease his mind.
“Lovely,” O’Hara answered, looking at the vital signs on the monitor next to Nokhal’rok’s bed. She made some notes on her paper. “I can give you some light painkillers, if you like.”
She froze at his question. Oh God… she had just told him about her family only a few minutes ago… and that was something she didn’t prefer to talk about in regular conversation.
“No, not at all,” she answered, setting her clipboard down.
“That would be fine, even if it is just Tylenol,”he replied with a nonchalant shrug.
Nokhal’rok noticed her hesitation, and he remembered her mentioning her family. Goodness, she had already told him something personal, and he was asking for more! He had to fix that.
“My apologies. I don’t mean to scare you, or pry into anything you don’t want to talk about. I was honestly just wondering about your shoes. They are Manolos, yes?”Nokhal’rok asked, hoping his words had reassured her.
O’Hara made a brief note of getting Tylenol before she sighed. “Pardon me, I thought you were going to ask something else,” she said before dropping the matter.
The doctor instantly relaxed her demeanor when Nokhal’rok asked his question, and a light smirk appeared on her face before she answered. “Why yes, they are. Manolo Blahnik. Hurt like hell, but they make my legs look so good.” She arched an eyebrow easily.
“Pardon me. I could’ve asked that question better,”he replied.
He smiled at her confirmation. Though, he made a note of how they hurt her. Could he find something that wouldn’t hurt her, but still have the same effect? Unfortunately, he wouldn’t be able to figure that out unless he had her with him. Though… that was an idea.
“I thought so. I could tell by the heel clicks. Um… I apologize if this is a bit forward of me, but I’m curious if… you would like to… to join me in a… Goodness, I don’t remember the last time I’ve fumbled this much,”he said, chuckling in embarrassment. He sighed, clearing his mind, then decided to try again.
“I want to get you something. A gift, to show my gratitude for your help today. My life basically revolves around fashion, both in business and recreation, and I can tell that you enjoy it as well, so I was thinking getting you something like that. New shoes, dresses, coats, whatever,”he said.