When you woke up the next morning and sat up, your shoulder screamed in agony.

"Ow! Shit!" You cried, holding your shoulder as you leaned to its side. Fuck! What the hell man? It aches so much!

Almost stumbling, you got out of bed and stood up, lightly holding your shoulder. You looked in the mirror and grimaced. The bandage Engie put on you was worn out after just one night. Oh come on! You took it off as gently as you could, every pull and tug sending a new spark of pain. By the time you got it off, you had to blink tears out of your eyes. You checked it in the mirror, it was red, sore, and starting to heavily bruise. You've got to be kidding me! How strong can someone be. ... At least it wasn't Heavy. The memory of what Engie told you last night played in your head:

"Just try to make up with the Doc, you have no idea what it's like to be ignored when you need help," the memory said. True, but he also said that this bandage should hold until the end of today.... Well, now that the bandage's off. I really should take a shower. I think Engie said he's training me today and I don't know how well that can go sweat and stink wise. Gross. Anyway time to shower!

You ran the water and gently pried your clothes off around your bruise. This meant you were really doing everything one-handed. With your pajamas in a pile in the corner by the sink and the water warmed, you stepped into the shower and almost instantly regretted it. The water from the shower head, pierced your shoulder like swords and you hissed through your teeth. Tears blurred your vision. Imagining stumbling and falling, you kept still and slowly turned your body to make your hurt shoulder not as hit by the water. However, your right eye was closed to keep from water directly hitting it. You debated whether to skip the shower: Should I get out? I don't know if this is good for my shoulder. No, I have to. It'd be a waste of time and water if I don't follow through with it.

Grabbing the shampoo from the rack Ms. Pauling gave you, you put some of it directly onto your head and started to wash your hair with your good, right arm. You slowly but surely got your hair washed and conditioned, but had to take a small break because your arm was getting tired. Alright, now I have to clean my shoulder... I'll clean it last. You grabbed your wash cloth/shower scrubber and put soap on them. Then you cleaned everything but your shoulder and quickly rinsed off by turning in circles. You, as gently as you could, grazed the soap over your hurt shoulder. It hurt, but not as much as it could have. You then turned to the water rinse it off and only lasted about five seconds before you had to turn back from the pain. You rinsed your hair one last time before finally turning off the shower. You shook yourself like a dog and then stepped out onto the mat. You dried yourself off with your good arm and rung out your hair.

After you were dry enough, you walked out to put on your uniform. Eventually, you managed to get ready with the help of one hand and minimal help from your left hand. You looked in the mirror. Your hair was plastered to your face in weird streaks from trying to get your clothes on mostly one-handed. Your shoulder felt like crap. You were breathing heavily and your clothes needed to be adjusted. You walked into your bathroom and combed your wet hair as best as you could. I don't want to talk to him. That's the problem. The creep of a doctor can't fucking let me get a glass of water when I need it. It's infuriating how he feels the need to be overbearing like this! I thought Spy would be the one that can't tolerate me. Bunch of bull-ow! You tugged at a knot in your hair. You had to slowly comb through it, but it still pulled at the brush once you were tired. You stared at yourself. There were dark circles under your eyes, you looked like a mess, and you felt like you were hanging on by a thread. I just hope no one cuts my string, or else I might fall apart. I look really tired.

As if on cue, exhaustion took over. You leaned your forehead onto the sink counter. I just want to sleep properly. I won't have much patience today. I just hope Scout doesn't try anything. You could practically imagine him shouting "Hey!" at the statement you just thought. You leaned back and looked up to the ceiling. Okay. Let's go do a thing.

You walked out of you room having fixed yourself as much at possible, but the beginnings of a bruise could be seen if you pulled at your shirt. This will be a sucky day for sure. Anyway, onward I suppose. You drifted to the living room. Some of the mercs were already there. Shit, I didn't check the time, am I late? You could hear someone in the kitchen rummaging around with pots and pans. I guess not? Scout looked up at you from the couch.

"Oh crap Strats, you okay? You look like a mess," he pointed out, shocked. You narrowed you eyes at him.

"I'm charmed. Gee thanks Scout," you replied snarkily. Scout smiled.

"You're welcome."

"What the-!"

"Hey Strategist," Engie placed a hand on your right shoulder as Medic walked out of the kitchen. "How's the bandage holdin' up?" You saw his head tilt to your conversation as he spoke with Spy.

"Um, well. It didn't exactly... hold up. I woke up this morning and it was barely hanging on so I- well- took it off." You gave a defeated, nervous laugh. Engie's expression changed to worry.

"Is yer shoulder bruised? Does it hurt?" He turned you around to face you and lightly touched your shoulder, but as soon as his fingers grazed your wound, you flinched.

"Ow, ow," you pulled away. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Medic's head snap to your direction.

"I'm sorry darlin'," Engie stepped back. He then leaned in and lowered his voice. "Are ya gonna ask the Doc to heal ya?"

"I'm not sure," you answered just as softly, looking away. I know I should ask... but I don't want to admit I need that asshole's help after he was the one to do this.

"Alright then, it's your choice, but remember we have training after this." You nodded as he straightened up and walked over to the cluster of mercs layed about in the living room. Everyone was here now.

"Evervone, breakfast iz ready. It should haff cooled down by now," Medic announced and sauntered into the kitchen. Did he manage to hear our conversation?

The mercenaries shuffled into the kitchen, grabbed their breakfast, and sat down in their places at the table. You sat down with the food. It was eggs on toast. Casual conversation started and instead of joining in, you dug into your toast. I have to give the crazy man credit, this is good. He does good at his mini job-chore-thing. When do I have to do laundry again? Shoot I should ask. You left arm was limp in your lap to avoid moving your shoulder. A certain doctor seemed to notice and kept glaring at you.

You looked up every so often, but when you both made eye contact, you were the one to look away and he kept his gaze unwavering. Creepy! You shifted in your seat and took another bite of your toast. With each time you looked up, you felt the back of your neck get more and more heated. I know they're all nice to me, except Medic really, but I don't know these people that well! It certainly doesn't help with Gremlin over here purposefully making me uncomfortable!

No one said anything to you by the time breakfast concluded, which really was the usual at meals. They just seem to have more to talk about with each other, I mean they know each other. I just, I don't even know if I'm supposed to like, be a new friend or just like a co-worker. I mean, even as a co-worker I should be friendly, but I don't know... They're more serious about their jobs. I get it, they would be nicer because I'm a little girl, but I guess I expected them to just outright not talk to me or try to welcome me.

"Hey," you thought you heard someone say. What? No, they could be acting nice to try to make me feel better, but by the time we get back to their original schedule, things could be different. You can't be serious all the time, but they might be being too friendly. I opened up to them about Dad too quickly I really can't let them know a-

"Hey!" Engie shouted, and you jumped in your seat, breathing fast and shaking slightly. His tone of voice is what shocked you the most, it was too stern.

"W-what? I'm sorry," you apologized quickly. While people were getting up, you saw Spy give you a distasteful look and crept out of the kitchen. Others had looked back as well, but they just kept putting things away. You looked at Engie's goggles, never making eye contact with him, but he always makes eye contact with you. He motioned to your empty plate. "Right, sorry."

You quickly put your plate in the sink and started the dishwater because it was getting unnervingly full. You took a deep breath and tried to calm down, your hands placed on the granite counter. You turned back around to see him with his hands on his hips and pursed lips. The only lightening thing that could cross your mind was how much he reminded you of a scolding grandmother. Finish your food (Y/n)! Oh my God that would sound hilarious in his voice.

"We're running behind on trainin' today, but ya need to get yer shoulder healed first. Get down to the Medbay, the doc should be there. Then meet me back here," Engie ordered, stand over you and staring down. Unlike Medic, this was more terrifying. You nodded in understanding, ready to get out of his line of fire for a while, and hurried out of the kitchen. Fuck, I can't deal with Medic! He's a loose screw, man!

Once you were down the hallway some, you slowed down. They just all seem so serious right now, was that because of me? Augh, no! Thinking this deeply and getting distracted is what got Engineer- Engie mad at me! You glanced at everyone's doors. They just know each other so well..., but they're also adult men and I can't be thinking about this right now. I have to stomach apologizing to the person who hurt me. Just thinking about it is getting me worked up! When you reached the Medbay doors, you took a nice, deep breath, and knocked twice.

"Who disturbs me?" Medic called and you heard the faint sound of footsteps walk to the double doors.

"(Y- Strategist, Medic," you responded and heard a small groan of annoyance. Yeah no kidding, I don't want to be here either!

"For jou shoulder, right?" He creaked the door open and looked down at you.

"Yes, Medic," you said in almost a half-sigh. He opened the door fully.

"Vill jou apologize?" You stopped short and stood completely still. Not willingly, hell no. I mean, I could have been my fault for not telling him, but it was his fault for even questioning me and hurting my shoulder in the first place. I don't want to, but Engie said I had to. I don't want to fucks with him.

"Yes, Medic."

"Vell?"

"I'm sorry... for not telling you why I was in the kitchen last night," you said, fighting to grit your teeth.

"Look me in zhe eyez." Fuck you. You made eye contact with him. He seemed to study you for a moment, and then turned around, waving with a hand for you to follow him. Not even another word, this is just weird. I mean, maybe that's just how he is? Should I be the one to adapt?

You followed him and he led you to the Medigun in the back of the Medbay. He went to the back of it for a second and checked everything.

"Now, eh, turn jour shoulder to zhe nozzle here," he called. You did as he asked and turned. He peaked to look at you and nodded. He turned the Medigun on and your shoulder felt as if the pain were being drained away. Once your shoulder felt as if nothing happened, he stopped it and came out to see you. "Do jou feel any pain?" Other than the pain of looking at that face, no I'm fine. You shook your head "no." He nodded. "Good, good. Now leave my Medbay."

I will with pleasure my dear doctor. You walked out and he followed you to the door. Once you left you didn't look back and headed to the kitchen.