Dr. Hess reluctantly but not unexpectedly laid the pen at rest on top of the consent form as Nick reluctantly declined the opportunity to make things easier. Larry knew he could eventually obtain the records but it would have been a lot less hassle. Dr. Hess acknowledged the fact that he admitted he was working. He also knew that “individual contracts” meant there wasn’t a real job out there that he was ready for yet. Working for himself maybe but certainly not in others company. This was nothing new that he was unprepared for but the secretive records concerned him. After all not even listing the prescribed medicines or no history at all other than the micro-bits that either Nate or Kari filled out recently, was all he had to go on at this time.<br/><br/>Dr.Hess’s unbuttoned white over coat hiked up as pulled his dress slack knees closer allowing ample room as Nate brushed by him to go and “have a smoke.”  It was a no smoking environment and you were supposed to go across the parking lot before lighting up. “ Sure. Sure you can Nate. Go right out that exit door and in the back..” his words got quieter and mixed with Kari’s pleas to stay, he knew Nate wasn’t listening and the door shut in mid-sentence.<br/><br/>Larry turned to catch the tears as they started to form in her blue eyes. He extended his leg out nonchalantly to keep her from following him. “ No let him go, he wont  hurt you…not here anyway.. He just needs some time.” Larry leaned back and pulled a box of tissues from his drawer. Handing them to her as she attempted to stop the leakage with a mere wipe of her finger. He could again see the attempt to cover the discoloration on her arm as she graciously accepted the whole box of Kleenex. Larry held the Kleenex from her grasp momentarily and looked into her tearful eyes. “That’s quite a bruise you got there Kari. It stunned her as she looked to her swollen arm. “ Y’know it’s not gonna stop. Maybe if he’s willing to try , but more than likely its not gonna stop”. He then released the box to her hands. "I have to ask you was it his idea to come here today or yours?" Larry placed the form into the folder and left it on his desk. He tucked the pen back into his side pocket. His fingers tapped as he tried to find something positive to tell this beautiful, scared, young lady. It’s good that he or one of you took the first step. I give you credit for that." He stared intently into her soul. “He clearly needs help. I can help him, it wont be easy. You’re a beautiful girl and I know you love him, this is not an overnight thing, There are no guarantees, each individual whether they were standing next to each other dodging bullets or digging foxholes, their treatment is different. Listen Kira..you’re still young, you have your whole life ahead of you..I know this process oh too well. I would tell you to run, run away from this from him as far and as fast as you can.” His eye contact slowly trailed from hers and his head shook in disagreement as he placed the folder in the still open drawer and closed it. “But you wont, I know ..You love him and will stand by him through the Gates of Hell..am I right.”<br/><br/>"Look I’m sorry, My hands are tied until I get hold of at least a partial of his medical history. I can’t treat him, I can’t do anything other than have him baker acted for 72 hours and I don’t  think that’s what he needs right now, do you? “<br/><br/>I can have those records expedited hopefully by tomorrow afternoon.. Will you be okay until then?”. He pulls a card from his other pocket. Look right here, this is my beeper number. You call me if you feel threatened. He pulls the desk back open and opens the folder. “ Is this your number or his or both? Do YOU have a cell phone.? Can I reach you at work if you’re not at home?”<br/><br/>Dr. Hess opens the door gazing down the empty corridor. “Looks like everyone’s about to leave or already gone. You go find that soldier and take him home and I’ll call you the moment I receive anything.  You’ll be okay won’t you , I don’t seem to be on his wish list just yet.”<br/>