(Untitled)

[claire_fraser]

I wasn't officially back into the clinic duty rotation, but I had an appointment set for later in the day. I also wanted to get caught up on what was going on in the clinic, so I went in significantly early to try to get myself reacquainted on what had happened in my (mostly) absence. I hated feeling that disconnect. I was also mightily tired of

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[doctorcuddymd]

Cuddy hadn't seen Dr. Fraser in some time, and when she caught sight of her in passing the clinic her steps stopped immediately. The smile on her face was genuine, and she crossed the threshold to greet her.

"You look like you're feeling much better," she said warmly.

[claire_fraser]

"I'm getting there," I told her. "A bit at a time." Any more than that, and Qui-Gon would have my head. "How have things been around here?"

[doctorcuddymd]

"That's the best way for it," Cuddy said with a nod. "It's..normal. As normal as possible. After the rampage, things quieted down."

[claire_fraser]

"That's good," I said. "Though that seems to be the way of it around here. Long stretches of inactivity followed by short periods of mass chaos."

[pambeesley]

Pam yawned behind one hand, even as she walked down to the clinic with Jim. She wasn't sure how she could still be so tired when she'd gone to bed early the night before and had actually slept in a little later than usual. Her other hand reached out for his, her fingers sliding between his as they neared the door.

[jim_halpert]

Her 'later' time was still early for Jim. He was already getting used to sleeping in again - god, he couldn't wait until his council term was completely over - and, well, Pam wasn't quite the sleeper he was.

She really had to work on that.

When he saw her reach for his hand, he took it, fingers lacing with hers. He stretched his other arm over his head as he let her lead him inside.

[claire_fraser]

They were so cute, I thought, when I looked up to see them at the door. Sometimes I wondered if I had ever been as young as they were. "Come on in," I said, getting up and coming from behind the desk. "How are you?"

[pambeesley]

"Tired," she mumbled automatically, eyes widening as she realized how rude she'd just been.

"Sorry. I just feel like I could sleep for another three days," she said, ducking her head and blushing as she settled into a chair.

[weemanmurray]

"Well, Auntie Claire, how are ye holdin'?" said Ian, dropping a kiss into Claire's hair as he walked up behind her, rubbing one raw-boned wrist pensively. "No' deid yet, I trust?"

[claire_fraser]

"No, not yet," I said, tilting my head to look up at him. "Though not for lack of trying, I think. How are you?"

[weemanmurray]

Ian rubbed the bridge of his nose, dark shadows showing under his eyes. He hadn't exactly slept well, the night before.

"Aye, well...there's the thing, Auntie. There's the thing." He rolled one bony shoulder in half a shrug. "It's the lass."

[claire_fraser]

I took in the shadows under his eyes and the touch of gloom in his voice with some concern. "What's wrong?" I asked. "Is she all right? Have you had a row?" I didn't know Isolde very well, but I liked her quite a bit, and I hoped nothing had happened to her. "She hasn't... disappeared, has she?"

[pieta_md]

There was a soft rap on the doorframe.

"Hi there," said Catherine, mostly ignoring the panting white dog at her side. "Can I come in?"

[claire_fraser]

"Sure," I said, looking up. It was good to see Catherine; I didn't often have a chance to see our mental health staff, especially lately during my virtual absence from the clinic. "How are you?"

[pieta_md]

"Good, if a little frustrated," Catherine answered honestly. "I'm sure you're sick of hearing it, but how are you? I'd meant to find you for a visit but I was laid up myself for a while."

[claire_fraser]

"I'm all right," I said. "Just taking a while to get back in the swing of things. It's more difficult than I expected." I flexed the fingers of my injured hand, as I often did to keep them from getting stiff. "I'm the world's worst patient," I admitted ruefully.

"I was at the town hall meeting," I commented, sitting back in my chair. "I'm... not quite sure how that all came about." I imagined Catherine was just as mystified, and I suspected her visit had something to do with a wish to rectify that, with which I wholeheartedly agreed.