”“Nope.” She cut him off quickly, raising her hand to silence him. He felt one brow raise at the commanding nature, not exactly used to being spoken to in such a way. ”There is a solution to everything. I said I'll figure it out and I will." Taking a few slow deep breaths he nodded slightly, ”If anyone can it’s you doc,” He offered, leaning back in his chair. Her determination was admirable, but certainly deserving of a more worthy cause than he. Matthias was no one to waste effort on, a pointless one of the masses. Her attention was more deserved on her other patients.

”Don’t be a stranger. I’ll just extend my work hours and get this sorted out, I promise.” He moved to stand then, feeling weak but steadier than he had before on one already fucked leg. ”Don’t waste any more extra hours on me, doc. It’s not worth all that. Here,” He pulled a small silk pouch from his pocket, laying it in her palm. ”It should cover what I owe.” Truthfully it was always more than that, despite their humor over his debts to her. It was more than money though, that was a life debt he owed her. Matthias had taken to overpaying whatever she’d asked of him, knowing the work she did around the city and villages for little to nothing and the orphans she saw to from the ravages of the war. ”I’ll see you soon I’m sure,” he said a bit grimly, that crooked grin just barely breaking his normally stoic features.

”Just doing my job,” she replied, as if waving off the work she did. He watched her a moment as she moved around her office, brow furrowed still deep in thought. He had a feeling it was more than that though. It was more than just a job or something she’d fallen into. For her it truly seemed a calling, a purpose. She was good at it too, more then good. The care he’d seen her give to others and himself despite the bite of his words and the horrible way both patient and families could be was more than worthy of a prize to him. He stood carefully, leaning heavily on his cane despite his shadows bracing him up with their cold touch.

He moved carefully towards the office door, ready to drop dead into his bed if he was lucky when he heard her call out. Matthias turned as she tossed the coin pouch back at him. He caught it, perhaps with a bit less grace then he normally carried himself. “I beg the differ.” she bit back, arms crossed, head canted to the side, one hip leaning at the other carried her small frame. It wasn’t rare to see the doc’s stubborn side, but it was different to see her defiance so directed at him and not his symptoms. He ignored the darker nature of his thoughts as she spoke again.

’You’re worth it Matt. Keep it, no coin can measure the price of a life.” He bit his tongue to his initial reply, feeling the cold mask slip back over his features once more. There was value to life though, he thought. He’d taken many a large sum for the price of them. Hiding them, ending them, transporting them. His though wasn’t worth the mud on his boots.”I pay my debts, doc. You do enough.” She waved a hand at him and the coin purse in his hands. Setting about to work once more, she busied herself picking up her clipboard and moving back towards her bookshelf. “Follow up with me again soon. You know where to find me.” He watched her back as she dismissed him. He turned, leaning heavily into his cane to walk out the door, but not before he’d lightly lay the purse next to an empty coffee mug and slip out into the shadows.


Matthias Exit