New york; A fresh start for Emery, now finished with medical school and working at a hospital. She was livinf her dream, or what used to be her dream. If only... She forced the man out of her head, sipping on the coffee in her hand to distract her in some way; though it never really helped. Elias Brekker had happened, in fact; six months ago she was sitting in the same room as him until he had walked away once again. She understood though. He knew what he had done to her, and then adding the miscarriage ontop on that didnt help much either. "Em." A voice called, snapping her back to reality; the fair haired man walked towards her; his smile bright. Emery smiled, a real smile; standing to greet him with a hug to which he pressed his lips to her cheek. "John." She breathed, her emotions railing back into check as she clung onto the real world.

"Knew i would find you here." He laughed, pushing her chair in as she sat; much like a gentlemen. Emery rolled her eyes, swatting him with her hand "Oh hush. You know i love this place. Its quite; and its right by work." She mused, sitting back to observe the handsome man sitting before her. He smiled again, shaking his head at the woman, "Yea. I know. But you still havent given me an answer." He murmured, biting his lip as he reached out for her hand; grasping onto it firmly. Ah, The answer. She sighed, watching as he pleaded with his puppy dog eyes "Fine." She breathed to which John happily danced too.

John. Emery had meet him at work, promising herself to let go of the past and move forward; and things were going good. Then John asked her on a date, which led to more and now was leading them to her meeting his parents this weekend at his familys home. He had made her feel something again, not love..but..care? Of course she had some sort of feelings for John and perhaps she couldve loved him..or eventually will end up loving him but now..? That was something she swore off until she was ready, and now wasnt the time. John was sweet, though somethings overbearing; she couldnt help but gain some sort of bond with him. Of course she would never love another man the way she loved Elias, that was once in a lifetime; Emery had her epic love. And lost it..twice. But a man like Elias Brekker wasnt one to be kept, no. He was a wild spirit; with an old soul..yet...a monster and angel in one. There were no words to describe the man she loved. There never would be enough.

John stood again, checking his rolex watch with a groan "Alright. Well Miss Emery, I shall pick you up this evening. And after that..We will have all the fun you want at my family's lake house." He smirked, hugging her once more and leaving her with a brisk kiss to the lips. She watched as he walked off, her fingers findling with the necklace he had given her for her birthday last month. Sighing, she grabbed her things from the table, left a twenty and headed towards the hospital for her shift.

A business trip to New York. It was supposed to be simple. Brekker was negotiating an arms deal that he was most certainly going to get. He needed the weapons for a new opioid shipment he had coming in. Opioids were the drug of choice on the east coast. Unfortunately, cocaine made more, but Brekker had to give the people what they wanted and they wanted pills and needles. So who was Brekker to deny them that?

But the deal went south. In fact, Brekker was sure it was never meant to be a deal. No, they had meant to kill him and they had damn near succeeded. A peaceful conversation turned into a gunfight with no warning, shots were fired and he lost a few of his men in the crossfire. It was ugly and they had used a dirty tactic. One day Brekker would get his revenge, but right now, he was in no state to do so.

A bullet was lodged in his torso, nearly in the center of his gut. Brekker was losing blood and fast. Much to his chagrin, Damien had insisted taking him to a hospital. They had no safe houses in New York. The mobster had demanded to be taken back to Pittsburgh, but Damien knew better. The man wouldn’t have made it halfway home before he died.

Damien stumbled into the waiting room, with one half-conscious Elias Brekker clutching his crudely bandaged stomach. “HE’S BEEN SHOT! SOMEBODY HELP!” The dark-haired man howled as his superior's head seemed to loll as he finally lost consciousness. “HE’S GOING TO DIE!” He called again as professionals finally ran towards him, taking Brekker from his arms to receive the proper care while Damien was left to hope he would survive.

“What’s his name hon?” A woman, clearly one of the workers, asked her eyes soft and sympathetic.

“Elias. His name is Elias.”

“His last name?”

Damien blinked. He didn’t know his last name and even if he did, he was sure as hell wasn’t supposed to give it. His first name was even a stretch. “His last name is Watcher.” Damien settled, scratching at the stubble on his jaw, a nervous habit. The nurse eyed him oddly, his hesitance suspicious.

“And how was he shot?”

“We took a shortcut through an alley when someone tried to mug us. They shot him when he refused to comply.” Damien explained. The story was well-rehearsed, as it was one he had used many times for many members. It was the quickest, cleanest coverup. The woman walked away after asking a few more questions regarding the situation, leaving Damien, covered in Brekker’s blood, to sit in the waiting room.

The emergency room was busy as always, people busteled about going to and from the rooms. Then a shout. "HES BEEN SHOT SOMEONE HELP!" And doctors rushed towards the waiting room. "Doc, we need to prep the OR." A nurse stated, before rushing after the people surrounding the strechter. She nodded, heading into the bright room to assess the situation when she caught the sight of..."Elias." She breathed, her heart hammering in her chest now. The room wanted to spin, she needed to desperately grasp onto something before she blacked out herself. No. Not today. She had to push those swirling emotions down and save his life first.

Emery gulped, walking over to his still body which was steady loosing blood. Doctors moved around the room working endlessly on him to help him. 'Save him.' That was the one thing she kept repeating in her mind. She closed her eyes briefly, hands shaking as she stiched him back up where they had removed the bullet. Her breathing seemed to kick start again as she excited the room full of his blood and her face pale white. She cleared her throat, pushing her hair behind her ear as she headed towards the waiting room and towards the man who brought her in. "Are you the one who brought in Mr..Watcher?" She asked, brows drawn together at his name. Another lie. She wanted to scoff, but she knew deep down it was for his protection. Perhaps this man didnt know him at all. "Are you friend? Brother..?" She questioned, eyes searching his own. She knew the sotry was bullshit, but said nothing.

Damien eyed the woman suspiciously, emerald eyes glittering with hostility. She was covered in blood, clearly having just exited a surgery. Elias’s probably, given as he was the one who needed the most immediate attention. Damien had half a mind to snap, to tell her off but he knew it would only make his story seem dishonest and he knew that for Elias’s sake, he needed it to be true. They needed to keep up the face until he could be snuck out of the hospital later that night and taken home.

“Tell me everything you know, we find that girl now.”

His mouth had parted to respond when he recognized her. Yes, this woman was the one Brekker had nearly died for, fending off multiple enemies just to protect her. He had gone straight into the lion's den to retrieve her. Emery. That was her name. How could Damien have forgotten? That night had been Hell. The kidnapping and the shootout had been stressful. Not to mention that both Elias and the woman could have died. After all, Damien was the one who had found the two of them, collapsed behind Elias’s bed, a bloodied gun in his leader's hand.

Damien's eyes narrowed, his hands coming up to retie his ponytail, his fingers working through his ebony hair as he threw it up, leaving a few wavy strands out on each side of his face to frame it. “I’m a colleague and friend. We were here on a business trip.” Damien gestured to his dress shirt and slacks that were stained with crimson, all Elias’s. “And I think you already know I’m not his brother.” He commented nonchalantly.

“I find it interesting…” Damien trailed, shoving his hands in his pockets, despite the blood that coated them. “That you’re even concerned for this man. You should hate him…” He eyed her, gauging a reaction. What would she do? She couldn’t cause a scene. “He left you, high and dry without a word. Then again, I don’t think Elias ever told you the whole story.” Damien knew he was venturing into dangerous waters, but honestly, the man thought it was warranted. This woman deserved to know.

Damien had found out about the miscarriage, having encountered a drunk Elias one night. The man had been distraught and threatened Damien if he ever brought it up again so he had kept his mouth shut. But since the last visit, Elias had become depressed, though he hid it well. He had lost his touch and things had become far more dangerous. Elias needed to pick himself up again, his life and the life of his followers depended on it.

Emery sighed, "Yes. I knew that. Wanted to see if you would lie, Damien. And i also know that him being hurt right now has nothing to do with..what did you say? A mugging?" She uttered, eyes slited. "Elias is alright. In recovery room now, ill have someone ket you know when he's awake." She added, ready to walk off. 'Act like you dont care.' Her subconscious reminded her.

But his question caught her off guard. Why did she still care? After all the things that happened between Elias and her; why? She couldn't really answer that herself but lying was the hest way. Perhaps he would tell Elias, who in turn would be nonchalant no doubt. "I dont." She uttered stiffly, her lip catching between her teeth. "Excuse me, i have to go." Emery murmured quitely walking off without another word. Him being here of course had some effect on her, but Emery had worked hard on not letting things get to her; especially when it comes to Elias Brekker. Those emotions she had for him were threatening to resurface as she walked down the pristine white hallways, the smell of bleech wafling through the air and stinging her nose.

Finally she reacued the locker room, sitting down harshly as she tried to collect herself. She ran a shaky hand through her hair as sue always did when she was nervous or stressed. Moments passed until finally she was ready to go out and do her job, pushin all thoughts of Elias in the back of her mind for now.

He couldn’t help but smirk as she walked away. This woman… she had never gotten over him, had she? No, her eyes had shown concern, not hate when she had helped take Elias away earlier. The Watcher loved her… It was an odd thought for Damien to have, considering the man didn’t seem to care about anybody. It was clear Emery was a much different story.

While he waited, Damien had someone bring him a fresh set of clothes, changing out of his bloodied ones. The time seemed to drag on endlessly before someone finally allowed him to see Elias. As he was taken back, he took that time to examine his surroundings and any possible exits. Elias would have to be out of there by tonight. It was a miracle the authorities hadn’t arrived for questioning yet. Shootings weren’t old news in New York, but they still had to be dealt with.

Damien sighed as he entered, the situation already seeming stressful, but the man froze when he saw Brekker on the bed. The man was shirtless, IV’s coming out of him every which way while bandages cover his torso. He had been shot twice, once in his other shoulder and once in his stomach. It was a miracle he was alive, the man now covered in scars from gunshot wounds. The man sat in the chair, wondering if his boss would even make it through the night.

Elias had become one of her patients somehow, which- not that she would admit; she liked the idea if having him under her watch. She sat behind the desk for hours or what seemed to he before she decided to go check on him again. This time- Damien was in the chair. She sighed, watching the still unconscious boss with utter regret filling her entire being. She shouldnt have let him walk away from her that day; not like that. He deserved more.

Even after all of the words spat at each other. Emery could feel the tears forming, and she wanted to so desperately stop them but when it came to Elias- there were no brakes to her waterworks. She coughed, blinked back her tears effectively this time as he stirred (hope this is okay?). Her eyes widened with each twitch of his arms until she was sure they would pop out of her head.

Pain. Brekker was in pain. He let out a groan, low and wounded, allowing himself to be vulnerable because he assumed he was alone. Every part of him was sore and he felt like a knife had been thrust through his stomach. What happened? Brekker's brow furrowed as he attempted to remember, his mind a rather drugged haze.

He had been shot at the business deal that went south. Everything had been going fine, but the second they had Brekker exposed they took shots, nearly killing him in the process. Gunshot wounds to the stomach were fatal, but judging by the horrific pain he was in, he had somehow survived. Those bastards would pay… At last Brekker opened his eyes, his irises of coffee bleary and unfocused as he caught sight of the two people in the room with him.

One was Damien, evident by the dark shadow of hair on his jaw and the scruffy black hair. The other was… Oh no. The second one was Emery. Brekker let out a low expletive before his gaze landed on Damien. “You had to pick this hospital?” He questioned the man snarkily, as if he had been expected to know that Emery worked there. Hell, Brekker hadn’t even known she worked there.

Damien huffed, crossing his arms, his dull green eyes annoyed. “Sir, you act as if I was aware she worked here.” He growled out, gaze narrowing. “Besides, you were dying.” Damien pointed out, getting to his feet and brushing off his pants. It was clear he was preparing to leave. “Well, it looks like the doctor is in, so I should be going. I’ll make tonight's arrangements. Call me if you need any changes made.” He stepped forward and set Brekker’s phone on the bedside table, before exiting, a wicked gleam present in his eyes.

Brekker’s gaze turned to Emery, the woman he had never intended to see again, even if he wanted to. “I’ll be out of here by tonight. This meeting was unexpected, obviously. You are aware of my distaste for hospitals, they ask too many questions.” He told her in a flat voice, avoiding her gaze. This had most definitely not been on his to-do list. “You can leave, I’ll be fine. No need to play doctor.” Brekker looked over himself, noting the many tubes and bandages he was covered in.

Emery scoffed "Like there arent a billion more here in New York. Only thing that matters is your Alive Brekker." She snapped back, irritated already by the looks of it. She clenched her jaw, eyes rolling as Damien walked out and left the two alone. It wasnt until he spoke again that she moved towards him to check him over even though he resisted. "Im not playing doctor. I am a doctor." She growled out, his words slicing her from the inside.

Did he honestly believe this was a joke? Her job? Hell the whole reason she became a doctor was for Elias, that and following after her fathers footsteps as planned. Was Elias that far gone he hadnt known that this was her dream? But huffed, checking over the fussy and broading man before her, getting his vitals down. "If you need any pain medicine let a nurse know, they can give them to you. Also, if you want to go unnoticed leaving- go around 10:30 p.m. West exit." She uttered before walking towards the door lastly.

"Im sorry Eli.." She whispered before leaving the room finally. The air seemed to grow thicker, but perhaps it was just the hammering of her heart. Her face was surely purple from lack if oxygen, she could tell cause the room stsrted to spin rather quickly. 'Breathe.' She reminded herself silently, the panic wanting to rush oer her built up walls. She wouldnt let it. Not Emery.

“I didn’t mean that you were not a real doctor. I meant that you didn’t need to pay me any heed.” Brekker corrected himself, though why he wasn’t sure. He had nothing to prove to her anymore. She hated him and he should be okay with that, it was better for both of them. Yet… Brekker wasn’t. He was a heartless, cruel, and evil man who took everything and gave nothing… but he still loved her. Brekker wasn’t over her and they just kept running back into each other every time he thought he was moving on.

He was stiff the entire time she examined him, self-conscious as her eyes wandered over him and embarrassed at their awkward situation. Brekker just seemed to be making bigger messes. No, he did not pity himself because these were his consequences, but he knew he wasn’t the only one suffering. He had dragged her down with him and he hated that. He hated that she was hurting because of his mistakes. Hell, the woman had even left her home behind because of him.

All of it was because Brekker thought he had taken the best course of action. The man who was known for making no mistakes had faltered, destroying the only woman he had loved. His eyes met hers again as she gave him information and he accepted it with a curt nod and a quiet “thanks”, but that’s all he expected. It was then she shocked him again with an apology.

Dark eyes widened and his mouth parted slightly. Why? Why after all he had done? Why was she apologizing to him? “Em, wai-” He tried to stop her, even raising a hand, but she had already exited. What could he have even said? What could he possibly say to her and why would she even listen? Even without a plan, part of him wanted to get up and follow, to not let her go. But at the moment, he could not walk and honestly, it was probably for the best.