Dorian groaned as sunlight shot through the window and into his eyes. Moving his arm to cover his eyes he winced, feeling a shooting pain in his head. Though it didn't compare to the one in his thigh. It all came back.

Forgetting his pain, he looked around the room, searching. His furrowed brow relaxed when he saw Tess curled up in the chair a few feet away. His eyes softened seeing how uncomfortable it must be for her. The early morning sunlight played across her side, casting shadows on her face, instead of in her eyes like it had with him. Her face was so calm, her lips almost pouty.

He closed his eyes, trying to remember. After he'd arrived at the hospital...everything was kind of patchy. But he remembered her eyes.

If Tess realized how she had moved during the night, she would have hit herself. She was clinging to the pillow, pushed against her chest as she had used her arm as the pillow instead. Her feet were hanging off the side of the chair and her back curled to fit properly in the chair.

As sunlight hit her face, she groaned, and muttered a small curse before opened her eyes. She let out a yawn and rubbed her eyes trying to figure out why her back was killing her and why it wasn't her bed. Looking around, she noticed the white wall and knowing it wasn't her room, and sat up straighter than she usually did. It wasn't even the Healer beds.

Seeing Dorian across from her, she let out a sleepy smile before standing up and stretching. She wondered briefly if Victoria had worried at the fact she didn't get home, but she figured Victoria would be in her own world as usual. Turning her attention back to him she noticed his disheveled hair and forced herself not to take joy at his messy state.

"Morning" she said smiling "Feeling any better?"

Dorian tried not to stare at Tess. He wasn't used to seeing women waking up. He usually left before they woke up, or didn't even spend the full night with them. The morning after was domestic and...vulnerable. A shiver went down his spine and he had to swallow before answering.

"They legs not so bad. But my head's killing me." He tried to look anywhere but into her eyes. He had a feeling he'd fall in if he did. It was the one defining thing that separated her from her brother. From their whole family even. At the thought of Alec, he felt like someone had punched him in the gut. Just another pain.

"I hope I didn't do anything stupid last night." Though he felt like he had.

Tess wondered why he was avoiding her gaze, but she didn't pay too much attention, figuring that it was because she either looked a mess and he was trying to be nice, or he was tired himself.

"I'll fix that in a sec" she said and walked over to the shelves getting some aspirin.

She got on her tippy toes to reach it and once she did she walked towards him once more as she opened the bottle. At the mention of last night, she flushed and tried not to laugh at the memories. She did let out a few giggles, but composed herself with a small smirk still on her face.

"Well handsome want to know what I remember?" she asked amused. "I remember you complimenting me. Thanks for that by the way" she laughed softly. "And you getting a little touchy feely, more so than my usual patients."

As Dorian watched Tess move to the cupboards, he couldn't help but notice her curves as she reached up for the medicine. Groaning inwardly, he closed his eyes, fighting the images that he attributed to spending two weeks with almost no one except for Alec. As soon as he was healed he was going to a bar and getting shagged for all he was worth. Apparently he was no better than his reputation, if he was reacting this way.

Her blush wasn't helping. He had thought, that night at dinner, that she'd looked more vibrant than most people, with the healthy glow she seemed to have constantly. But with a blush...he was knocked out of his thoughts at her comment.

He cringed. Looking at her apologetically, he said, "Well, if it was good, you're welcome. But I'm sorry if I got...out of hand." Looking out the window, he almost whipstered. "Thanks for staying with me." It was hard for him to be vulnerable, but he didn't want her to think less of him because of it.

Tess grinned at the cringing, it was a rare sight to see, she had to admit that. She personally wasn't offended, it wasn't the first time someone had done it...well it had been, but others were similar. But his apology just made her laugh softly and she shook her head.

She pushed the aspirins towards him and handed him a cup of water. He seemed so different than she expected, and at his thanks added to the mix, well she softened up a bit towards him.

"Don't need to apologize" she said waving him off. "Everyone reacts differently to the drugs trust me, there was one patient that proposed marriage to every healer that came his way; you behaved...somewhat." she smiled softly. "Anytime"

Dorian laughed softly at Tess's story. While his leg took most of the damage, he still had cuts and bruises from their case. Laughing too hard made his side hurt, so he kept it quiet. "Maybe that will be my next trick then." Though he couldn't imagine ever doing so, even under a drug-induced stupor.

He took the asprin and water, thankful to have both. When he finished, he furrowed his brow. "So, when do you think I can blow this popsicle stand?"

One night here wasn't so bad, but only because she'd stay'd with him. He knew it wasn't going to be fun getting around his flat by himself, but he'd deal with it if it meant getting out of here. And he really didn't want to ask Alec for help. As much as he trusted the man who'd become like a brother, he really didn't want to take more time from him. Especially now that he had Victoria.

Tess shook her head and grinned. At least he got back to normal, and she took it in stride. She put on her stethoscope and began to check his breathing, everything seemed normal, as did his pulse and she checked that off. Looking up she noticed his gaze was clear, so the drug had gone through his system fine.

"I think you can leave right after I finish this. You might have to leave in a wheel chair, to help your leg get rest and to avoid any popping of stitches." she explained.

Mumbling things to herself, she walked around her office getting the necessary items. She got out the pain killers, some wraps for his bruises that she could cover, some alcohol to sterilize and she turned back to him.

"I will cover your chest, you have some minimal bruising around your ribs, nothing popped out but bruising is expected. If you please?" she said waiting for him to give her permission.

Dorian was happy to hear he'd be leaving. He made a mental note to call his boss and request some time off to heal. He wasn't going to be of much use on the job with this wound. If he was lucky, Alec would get the time off too. He didn't need to worry about him on top of this draining pain in his leg.

He let a small smile slip at how Tess moved around her office space. She seemed focused and he could see her pulling at her lip in concentration. That combined with her loose sleep hair was almost...endearing. Get a grip, idiot. It was thoughts like this that kept him awake at night.

At her suggestion, he lost the smile, being pulled back into the reality of his vulnerability. "Sure." He untied the back of the gown and shrugged it off his chest, seeing the many familiar scars from his job. He would never be considered buff, but he tried to stay in shape.

Tess was surprised at the amount of scars he had from his body. She sighed knowing that he had been avoiding real treatment. Bending down she began to place the salves over all of his scars and bruising.

"You never did go to a professional for these did you" she commented trying not to chastise him. "You really need to take care of yourself, these didn't have to become scars"

Once she was done, she began the wrapping, making it tight to avoid any more pain than he was going to. She knew that he was self conscious or something close to it from the frown on his face. Still once she was done, she tightly tied it and pulled back.

"Okay, so this is your medicine," she said handing him the bottle. "it will take around a week to remove the stitches,you can either come here, or we can get someone to go to your home and do it. Please don't stand up, avoid any quick movements to pop the stitches, and in a week you'll be fine, just minor bruises. Any questions?" she finished as professionally as possible.

Dorian tried to not look embarrassed. But he never expected a medical professional to see them. He just...didn't trust anyone else. He gave Tess a half smile. "No, I didn't."
At her talk of him taking better care of himself he sobered. "Maybe I will."

Feeling the exaustion from the night before, and having spent the night in a strange bed, he sighed. This wasn't really a great time to get into a deep conversation about his malfunctions. He was glad to hear Tess return to her medical demeanor. "Thanks again, Tess. I guess I'll see you around."

He really hoped it would be her that would see to him when he needed his stitches out. But he didn't want to impose on her just because they had history.