[Fanfic] Code Blue - An Extended Epilogue 11
Title: An Extended Epilogue
Fandom: Code Blue
Characters: Aizawa x Shiraishi and a smattering of OCs
Disclaimer: Code Blue and its elements do not belong to me
Author's Note: Megumi takes a step in a different direction. Away from home, Kousaku comes to terms with his own feelings.
Director Tadokoro finished reading the letter and then looked up to the young doctor standing on the opposite side of his desk. She had her hands clasped before her, her hair pulled back in a severe ponytail and her gaze fixed on a point on his desk that so far as he could tell, was completely devoid of anything attractive whatsoever.
He returned back to the letter, rereading it again slowly this time. At length he carefully re-folded it and placed it on the desk. “I have to say,” He began slowly; “It is a little early for you to be thinking of resigning, isn’t it Dr. Shiraishi?”
Megumi raised her eyes and Tadokoro noted they were ringed with black. “I received an offer to work in Toudai’s cancer research center. Given my family’s… circumstances, I think it is a good career move.”
“Hmm.” Tadokoro leaned forward and laced his fingers together, all while peering at her intently. Although he was behind in terms of medical knowledge and skill compared to these young ‘uns, he had the advantage of experience. And experience told him that Megumi was only telling half the truth. He could practically see her vibrating nervously, and her hands were clenched tightly. Anxiety. Discomfort.
“Well if that is your decision, then I will arrange the necessary papers,” He conceded after a lengthy pause. “It is a pity, however. Is there room for reconsideration, doctor?”
“None.” Her tone was quiet but final. Whatever it is that had caused her to resign, it was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. She had clearly thought it through and was going to stand by it.
Tadokoro had always admired that quality in her. Watching her leave his office, he wondered if he was wrong to think that.
“You’ll have to resign from your current job, Megumi.”
Megumi stared at her father’s back in confusion. “Resign?”
“You can’t stay at Shohoku any longer if you want to hide your pregnancy. Not to mention the longer you delay it, the more dangerous it will be for your baby.”
“I…”
“ After the baby is born, you can join Toudai’s cancer research center. Nobody will know you there, and it’s a different field from ER.” Hirofumi had stated calmly as if he had always anticipated this and had been preparing for it.
Megumi clenched and unclenched her hands. “I can’t be a flight doctor anymore…?”
"You'll have to put that on hold for your own safety. And your child's." Hirofumi added.
Natsuki sat down next to her daughter and tearfully hugged her close. “Don’t worry dear, we’re here for you no matter what.”
“Shi-rai-shi!” Kazuo’s sing-song voice broke through her thoughts and she looked up from her lunch tray. The ever-cheerful Kazuo sat down at the table with that ‘I have news for you’ grin. “Where’s your boyfriend?”
“… eh?” Shiraishi blinked and caught herself before she could say something stupid. Like ‘New York’. “… What are you talking about?”
“That lawyer boyfriend of yours!”
“I told you, he’s not her boyfriend!” Mihoko snapped, arriving with a bowl of salad. “Will you leave it already? You’re like a dog with a bone!”
“Come on, it was a joke,” Kazuo shuffled unhappily. “Anyway, I heard Aizawa’s extending his New York trip for another week. Seems like things are going really well there. D’you think he’d get offered a job in America?”
Mihoko cast a quick glance at Megumi, who didn’t seem to be listening. “The guy just keeps rolling it in then.”
“Riight? What’s the deal with you though, Shiraishi? You look kind of… off.” Kazuo bit into his panini and chewed as he stared at his colleague. “You’ve got bags under your eyes and your cheekbones are showing.”
“And you,” Mihoko grimaced; “Are talking with your mouth full.”
“I’m just a little tired, I guess,” Megumi smiled thinly. The ‘overwork’ excuse is tried and true and most people take it at face value.
But as Mihoko pointed out, Kazuo’s tenacity is like a dog with a bone. “No no no, I mean you look sick. Maybe you need to take some time off. Have you taken any leave this year at all?”
“I…” Megumi took a deep breath; “I’m taking two weeks leave.”
“Oh?” Kazuo grinned and completely missed Mihoko’s stunned look. “Two weeks?”
“Yes. I… cleared it with the director earlier. Family issues,” She said carefully. It wouldn't do for them to know what she's planning.
“Hmm, your dad huh?” She was lucky Kazuo was as dense as a brick. Eventually the topic turned to other things, and Megumi found herself an excuse to leave the table.
But Mihoko caught up with her. “What do you mean you’re taking leave?”
“… I’m resigning,” Megumi said quietly after making sure there was no one else around. “I’m taking two weeks leave at the end, and then I’m going to Toudai.”
“How the… how on earth did you…”
“My father helped.” Megumi sighed and Mihoko pulled back. “So he knows?”
“… Yes.”
“… You headstrong donkey,” Mihoko said after a few seconds of silence. “Well if that’s what you decide, then I can’t say anything about it, can I?”
“I have to stop soon, before it becomes dangerous for me to fly,” Megumi said sadly. “You know the complications - “
“Yeah, yeah, leave it at that.” Mihoko passed a hand through her hair and took a deep breath. “Look, I’m just saying this but… I think you need to talk to him.”
“We’ve discussed this, Hiyama. I can’t.”
“No you don’t want to. There’s a difference,” Hiyama pointed out. “You’re just conjecturing things in your head and making assumptions. Who knows what the reality will be like?”
“There’s a big possibility things will be worse than they already are,” Megumi said bitterly and stalked off, ending the discussion. Hiyama watched her leave and impulsively slapped the wall next to her. “There’s where you’re wrong, you fool.” She muttered to herself. “There’s a chance things can be better.”
New York was not what Kousaku had been expecting. Being used to the metropolis, he had thought New York and Tokyo would be similar.
Not really.
His fellow Neurosurgery doctor, Dr. Kurosaki was happily just as quiet as he was and the only exchange they had was work-related. Upon their arrival at Bethsea the training began, and for that Kousaku was thankful.
But it wasn't intensive enough to keep away stray thoughts. Sometimes he fancied she was there, but it was just a female patient who used the same floral shampoo as her. At times he imagined hearing her light footsteps pattering down the hallway and seeing her shadow flash around a corner - but it was all nothing. Of course Kousaku being Kousaku, he dismissed this as a form of homesickness and did not dwell on it.
But even the most hectic of training must have a lull, and it came in the form of the weekend off. And Kousaku being a guest, he could not refuse an invitation out, especially since it came from a superior.
“Ramen?”
Aizawa Kousaku cautiously walked into the shop behind his guide and supervisor, a Japanese doctor working at Bethsea named Tanaka Ito. Ito was decidedly pleased to meet a fellow surgeon, and a Japanese at that. Though Kousaku reacted as he always did - that is, a non-reaction, Ito was clearly the type to let such things wash over him. “Best ramen in town!” He declared as he took a seat at the counter. “You’ll be crying of homesickness by the time you finish your broth, I guarantee it!”
“Drinks, misters?” A young woman came up to them and for a moment Kousaku was frozen in shock.
Except for her auburn hair and makeup, the woman was incredibly similar to Megumi. Except… Megumi did not chew gum and did not… slouch.
“Mister, what do you want to drink?” The girl asked again and Kousaku blinked. “Sake.”
“In the middle of the day?” Ito scratched his head. “My wife will never let me do that.”
Kousaku shrugged slightly. “I’m not married.”
“Girlfriend?” Ito teased. “Or are you the kind who’s married to his job?”
“All doctors are.”
“Touche! But I saw you staring at Elly-chan there,” Ito grinned. “She’s pretty isn’t she? Studying art at the local college here. Told me she’s going to Italy to be an artist.” He rolled his eyes. “Kids.”
“… She looks like somebody I know,” Kousaku watched Elly return with their drinks. Noticing Ito’s sly smile, Kousaku wearily elaborated; “A fellow flight doctor. We did our internship together.”
“I’d have to say that’s the longest sentence I’ve heard you make yet!” Ito chortled. “Lighten up man! This job is gloomy as it is, don’t make yourself feel worse. Be happy! So how’s it like, being a flight doctor?”
Kousaku didn’t know if it was Ito’s persistence or the sake, but he gradually talked more, though he was constantly aware of something at the back of his mind. It slipped around like viscous jelly and it wasn’t until he was back at the hotel did he finally grasp what it was.
He kept thinking about Megumi. She had been present from the moment he lifted off Japan soil and existed in his mind, around him, like a spectre or a ghost or the wind in his ear. His heart gave a funny lurch when he thought of this. Was it all the miles apart that was making him think funny, or was it the sake?
Hell, even the sake made him think of her, drunk. In his arms.
The ache in his heart intensified and like any good doctor, Kousaku came to a conclusion.
He missed her.
Pulling out his cellphone, his finger scrolled down to her name once again and he stared at it. What time is it in Japan now? What insane excuse could he probably make up to talk to her? Would she even pick up?
And just like before, he stalled and replaced his phone back in his pocket. There would be no excuse for it, he decided. He can talk to her when he gets back. It’s not like she’s going anywhere.
Fandom: Code Blue
Characters: Aizawa x Shiraishi and a smattering of OCs
Disclaimer: Code Blue and its elements do not belong to me
Author's Note: Megumi takes a step in a different direction. Away from home, Kousaku comes to terms with his own feelings.
Director Tadokoro finished reading the letter and then looked up to the young doctor standing on the opposite side of his desk. She had her hands clasped before her, her hair pulled back in a severe ponytail and her gaze fixed on a point on his desk that so far as he could tell, was completely devoid of anything attractive whatsoever.
He returned back to the letter, rereading it again slowly this time. At length he carefully re-folded it and placed it on the desk. “I have to say,” He began slowly; “It is a little early for you to be thinking of resigning, isn’t it Dr. Shiraishi?”
Megumi raised her eyes and Tadokoro noted they were ringed with black. “I received an offer to work in Toudai’s cancer research center. Given my family’s… circumstances, I think it is a good career move.”
“Hmm.” Tadokoro leaned forward and laced his fingers together, all while peering at her intently. Although he was behind in terms of medical knowledge and skill compared to these young ‘uns, he had the advantage of experience. And experience told him that Megumi was only telling half the truth. He could practically see her vibrating nervously, and her hands were clenched tightly. Anxiety. Discomfort.
“Well if that is your decision, then I will arrange the necessary papers,” He conceded after a lengthy pause. “It is a pity, however. Is there room for reconsideration, doctor?”
“None.” Her tone was quiet but final. Whatever it is that had caused her to resign, it was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. She had clearly thought it through and was going to stand by it.
Tadokoro had always admired that quality in her. Watching her leave his office, he wondered if he was wrong to think that.
“You’ll have to resign from your current job, Megumi.”
Megumi stared at her father’s back in confusion. “Resign?”
“You can’t stay at Shohoku any longer if you want to hide your pregnancy. Not to mention the longer you delay it, the more dangerous it will be for your baby.”
“I…”
“ After the baby is born, you can join Toudai’s cancer research center. Nobody will know you there, and it’s a different field from ER.” Hirofumi had stated calmly as if he had always anticipated this and had been preparing for it.
Megumi clenched and unclenched her hands. “I can’t be a flight doctor anymore…?”
"You'll have to put that on hold for your own safety. And your child's." Hirofumi added.
Natsuki sat down next to her daughter and tearfully hugged her close. “Don’t worry dear, we’re here for you no matter what.”
“Shi-rai-shi!” Kazuo’s sing-song voice broke through her thoughts and she looked up from her lunch tray. The ever-cheerful Kazuo sat down at the table with that ‘I have news for you’ grin. “Where’s your boyfriend?”
“… eh?” Shiraishi blinked and caught herself before she could say something stupid. Like ‘New York’. “… What are you talking about?”
“That lawyer boyfriend of yours!”
“I told you, he’s not her boyfriend!” Mihoko snapped, arriving with a bowl of salad. “Will you leave it already? You’re like a dog with a bone!”
“Come on, it was a joke,” Kazuo shuffled unhappily. “Anyway, I heard Aizawa’s extending his New York trip for another week. Seems like things are going really well there. D’you think he’d get offered a job in America?”
Mihoko cast a quick glance at Megumi, who didn’t seem to be listening. “The guy just keeps rolling it in then.”
“Riight? What’s the deal with you though, Shiraishi? You look kind of… off.” Kazuo bit into his panini and chewed as he stared at his colleague. “You’ve got bags under your eyes and your cheekbones are showing.”
“And you,” Mihoko grimaced; “Are talking with your mouth full.”
“I’m just a little tired, I guess,” Megumi smiled thinly. The ‘overwork’ excuse is tried and true and most people take it at face value.
But as Mihoko pointed out, Kazuo’s tenacity is like a dog with a bone. “No no no, I mean you look sick. Maybe you need to take some time off. Have you taken any leave this year at all?”
“I…” Megumi took a deep breath; “I’m taking two weeks leave.”
“Oh?” Kazuo grinned and completely missed Mihoko’s stunned look. “Two weeks?”
“Yes. I… cleared it with the director earlier. Family issues,” She said carefully. It wouldn't do for them to know what she's planning.
“Hmm, your dad huh?” She was lucky Kazuo was as dense as a brick. Eventually the topic turned to other things, and Megumi found herself an excuse to leave the table.
But Mihoko caught up with her. “What do you mean you’re taking leave?”
“… I’m resigning,” Megumi said quietly after making sure there was no one else around. “I’m taking two weeks leave at the end, and then I’m going to Toudai.”
“How the… how on earth did you…”
“My father helped.” Megumi sighed and Mihoko pulled back. “So he knows?”
“… Yes.”
“… You headstrong donkey,” Mihoko said after a few seconds of silence. “Well if that’s what you decide, then I can’t say anything about it, can I?”
“I have to stop soon, before it becomes dangerous for me to fly,” Megumi said sadly. “You know the complications - “
“Yeah, yeah, leave it at that.” Mihoko passed a hand through her hair and took a deep breath. “Look, I’m just saying this but… I think you need to talk to him.”
“We’ve discussed this, Hiyama. I can’t.”
“No you don’t want to. There’s a difference,” Hiyama pointed out. “You’re just conjecturing things in your head and making assumptions. Who knows what the reality will be like?”
“There’s a big possibility things will be worse than they already are,” Megumi said bitterly and stalked off, ending the discussion. Hiyama watched her leave and impulsively slapped the wall next to her. “There’s where you’re wrong, you fool.” She muttered to herself. “There’s a chance things can be better.”
New York was not what Kousaku had been expecting. Being used to the metropolis, he had thought New York and Tokyo would be similar.
Not really.
His fellow Neurosurgery doctor, Dr. Kurosaki was happily just as quiet as he was and the only exchange they had was work-related. Upon their arrival at Bethsea the training began, and for that Kousaku was thankful.
But it wasn't intensive enough to keep away stray thoughts. Sometimes he fancied she was there, but it was just a female patient who used the same floral shampoo as her. At times he imagined hearing her light footsteps pattering down the hallway and seeing her shadow flash around a corner - but it was all nothing. Of course Kousaku being Kousaku, he dismissed this as a form of homesickness and did not dwell on it.
But even the most hectic of training must have a lull, and it came in the form of the weekend off. And Kousaku being a guest, he could not refuse an invitation out, especially since it came from a superior.
“Ramen?”
Aizawa Kousaku cautiously walked into the shop behind his guide and supervisor, a Japanese doctor working at Bethsea named Tanaka Ito. Ito was decidedly pleased to meet a fellow surgeon, and a Japanese at that. Though Kousaku reacted as he always did - that is, a non-reaction, Ito was clearly the type to let such things wash over him. “Best ramen in town!” He declared as he took a seat at the counter. “You’ll be crying of homesickness by the time you finish your broth, I guarantee it!”
“Drinks, misters?” A young woman came up to them and for a moment Kousaku was frozen in shock.
Except for her auburn hair and makeup, the woman was incredibly similar to Megumi. Except… Megumi did not chew gum and did not… slouch.
“Mister, what do you want to drink?” The girl asked again and Kousaku blinked. “Sake.”
“In the middle of the day?” Ito scratched his head. “My wife will never let me do that.”
Kousaku shrugged slightly. “I’m not married.”
“Girlfriend?” Ito teased. “Or are you the kind who’s married to his job?”
“All doctors are.”
“Touche! But I saw you staring at Elly-chan there,” Ito grinned. “She’s pretty isn’t she? Studying art at the local college here. Told me she’s going to Italy to be an artist.” He rolled his eyes. “Kids.”
“… She looks like somebody I know,” Kousaku watched Elly return with their drinks. Noticing Ito’s sly smile, Kousaku wearily elaborated; “A fellow flight doctor. We did our internship together.”
“I’d have to say that’s the longest sentence I’ve heard you make yet!” Ito chortled. “Lighten up man! This job is gloomy as it is, don’t make yourself feel worse. Be happy! So how’s it like, being a flight doctor?”
Kousaku didn’t know if it was Ito’s persistence or the sake, but he gradually talked more, though he was constantly aware of something at the back of his mind. It slipped around like viscous jelly and it wasn’t until he was back at the hotel did he finally grasp what it was.
He kept thinking about Megumi. She had been present from the moment he lifted off Japan soil and existed in his mind, around him, like a spectre or a ghost or the wind in his ear. His heart gave a funny lurch when he thought of this. Was it all the miles apart that was making him think funny, or was it the sake?
Hell, even the sake made him think of her, drunk. In his arms.
The ache in his heart intensified and like any good doctor, Kousaku came to a conclusion.
He missed her.
Pulling out his cellphone, his finger scrolled down to her name once again and he stared at it. What time is it in Japan now? What insane excuse could he probably make up to talk to her? Would she even pick up?
And just like before, he stalled and replaced his phone back in his pocket. There would be no excuse for it, he decided. He can talk to her when he gets back. It’s not like she’s going anywhere.