Zayne - a professional in many categories - was a professional yearner.

He was silent, and unrevealing with the things he wanted most in life other than to help those around him. Which, to be fair, he had well already established his place in the medical field - being a major influence on cardiovascular research and experimentation. It was rare for the focused man to be so distracted - staring out the window during meetings or a debriefing. He normally acted as if he were walking on eggshells around everyone.

So professional, and in tune with his surroundings. Always two steps ahead of every question - a detailed answer and solution in the works before it could be pointed out. He never hesitated. He could not hesitate, regardless. One moment of a pause could cost someone their life. That was a lesson he had to learn the hard way many years ago - too many patients lost because of a hesitated moment, a moment of a breath held too long.

Never again would he make that mistake.

He was quiet one day - too quiet. It freaked out many of his coworkers how inattentive he seemed. While yes - he was normally aloof and passive aggressive, he just seemed so… out of it. A circled date in red ink marked too hard on his calendar. A few coworkers whispered questions about his situation. But he didn’t listen. He was too stuck in his own head to really focus on much of anything other than the tremble in his hand and the way his heart hammered in his throat. The paper clutched between his forefinger and thumb was held so tightly it crumped under his vice.

Imagine his surprise to see that your name in bold letters was his first patient of his day.

The woman he had given everything up for just to save. The very person he would so willingly fight god (as tale being, he literally had) just to ensure your safety. He hesitated, his mind racing with thoughts that not even he were sure of whether or not he could answer.

Should he schedule you under a different doctor?

Should he make his presence known to you after all these years, since he had disappeared?

His mind was a raging turmoil of emotions, like a hurricane with nothing left to destroy in its wake. He knew it was foolish to stand aside so…idly and leave you in someone else's hand - he was, in his eyes, the only one fit enough to take care of you. He always needed you, and he could never bring himself to deny that claim.

After all, it was you who made him into who he was today - it was your condition that shaped him into the great doctor he was.

With a hearty breath, releasing the gasp of air he never realized he was holding, he set down the paper. Circling your name.

Soon, a nurse called out to you in the waiting room.

“Doctor Zayne is ready for you.”