The Man Who Saved Me

Adam looked at her wryly.

“I guess that’s one way of looking at it. Though I have to admit you’re right about one thing. I’d rather it be over very soon.”

“Tell me about yourself. All I know is that you’re an amazing doctor, and that you saved my life right before leaving to save many more. Do you still work with Doctors Without Borders?”

Adam nodded almost imperceptibly, as if he was afraid the movement might interrupt the tattoo.

“I haven’t been on an assignment in a while. But yes, I’m still associated with the organization.”

Shonali sighed, being very careful not to move too much.

“That’s so wonderful. You must have seen some incredible things. You must have been to some dangerous places, and done so many wonderful things.”

She was gushing. She knew that.

But how could she possibly stop herself?

The man not only acted like a hero, he looked like one, too.

There was only so much a girl could resist.

“It’s not just me. And it isn’t like the places seem so dangerous, most of the time. I don’t know how to explain it, but you kind of get used to it, and it becomes normal. Especially when you’re surrounded by people who’re carrying on with life as if everything is normal. Sometimes, I wonder at our definition of normal. Somebody else could look at it and conclude that we’re all batsh*t crazy, the way we live our lives.”

That was positively wise, thought Shonali.

“So you’ve never been in any real danger?”

He paused.

“I wouldn’t say that. I guess I have. But we’re all in different kinds of danger all the time. It’s just a matter of what kind of risks you’ve grown to accept. In some places where I’ve worked, the danger has been a lot more immediate than in other places. That’s a difference. But when you’re surrounded by people who talk, and laugh, and joke, it can be difficult to think of things like that.”

That was intriguing. Shonali hoped he would go on.

After a pause, he did.

“I think I’m boring you, going on about this,” said Adam, sounding a bit sheepish.

“No, of course not. It’s a matter of perspective, I suppose. But not all risks and dangers are equal. I think you’re downplaying things a bit.”

Adam smiled.

“Maybe I am. I didn’t join Doctors Without Borders for anything other than to take my skills where it’s really, truly necessary. And they were, in every place where I went. If things didn’t seem as bad as many people might imagine, it was because of the courage of people. Sometimes, being able to go on with everyday life can be one of the bravest things you can do. Especially when the risks you face every day can be so starkly frightening.”

Shonali squeezed his hand gently.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you talk about things you’d rather not think about. I can be a bit pushy. I keep telling myself that I’ll stop doing that, but I can’t seem to do it. When I have questions to ask, I end up asking them, even if I know I should probably keep my mouth shut.”

“No, it’s all right. I don’t usually talk about it. But it’s putting this pain in perspective.”

Shonali felt herself get alarmed.

“Did you ever get hurt?”

“Not enough to merit mention,” he replied.

She wouldn’t have let it go, but she bit her tongue and made herself back off.

She didn’t need to scare the poor man when he was effectively her captive audience.

“But you work in the city, too, right?”

He nodded, again very carefully.

“Of course. Need to pay the bills,” he said, but she got the feeling that he was teasing her.

“A doctor with this kind of skill? I don’t think you’ve needed to worry about paying bills, at least not after you paid off your med school loans.”

She had a feeling he would’ve given her a mock shudder if he’d been able to.

“Don’t talk about student loans. That’s the most painful thing of all. Do you know, I once found myself shot in the ass – and I know that’s funny, but try not to laugh – but even that didn’t hurt as much as my student loan payments?”

Shonali had to choke her giggle off ruthlessly.

“Really? Shot in the ass?”

“Yes, really. It was truly ridiculous. One of my patients’ little brother decided that he needed to stand guard overnight to watch over his big brother. But he fell asleep and shot me in the ass.”

Shonali couldn’t help giggling now.

“So who took care of you?”

Adam grinned.

“I wasn’t alone. I had a team, thankfully. But boy, that was absurd. Of all the places where I’ve been, and when I get a real flesh wound, it’s an accidental shot in the ass. How about that?”

“That must’ve hurt more than the tattoo,” pointed out Shonali.

“I wouldn’t know, really. I was so tired at that point that I could barely feel anything.”

Shonali smiled.

“Maybe you should’ve gotten a tattoo on your ass, around the bullet wound. You know, you still could,” suggested Shonali impishly.

They didn’t realize how time flew as they talked. Shonali did notice, quite gratified, that Luna had stopped flirting.

Finally, Ricky stopped, wiped, and didn’t start again.

“We’re done,” he announced.

“We’ve got a bit more to go,” said Luna, not looking up.

Shonali sat up slowly, clutching her towel to herself, and glanced over at Adam’s back.

There was the tattoo.

But there was also his back, and Shonali found that she could hardly look away from him.

The man had a gorgeous back. She glanced at his ass, too, but unfortunately, it was still covered in jeans and there was nothing visible. No chance of getting a glimpse of his bullet scar.

Why did she even want to look at it? It was so weird.