Scones do it better

mood: cheerful

Title: My Person (2/10)
Author: scones_better
Rating: PG-13 (I think, if I’m wrong let me know)
Genre: Romance (with dashes of light angst)
Summary: When JD take care of a special patient, he discovers a part of himself he didn’t know about. JD/Patient to be JD/Cox in the future.
Disclaimer: I own nothing and make no money out of this. If those characters were mine, they would be, very, very gay.

AN: This probably won’t make as much sense if you haven’t read the first part (My First Peachtini) so I recommend reading that first. This chapter isn’t very slashy once more, but I can guarantee that the next chapter will be a lot more substantial in that matter! Also a very big thank you to the lovely 

sosaith

My Person

Part 2: My Coming Out

JD was sitting on the couch of the employee living room, staring at the TV without taking in any of the drama that was playing on the usual mid-day soap opera. After his outburst, Turk had been paged and had left in a run. Carla had excused herself smiling, but it had felt stiff. When JD had turned toward Dr. Cox, he realized the older man had already left. He couldn’t take the stares so he grabbed his patient’s charts and checked on them once more. Fortunately for them, unfortunately for JD, they were all very stable. JD had then brought paperwork to the living room but soon found he could not focus on them, hence the blind staring.

“Hey.”

“Oh hey Elliot”

“Can I sit?”

“Sure”

JD scooted over as an invitation, glad that there was one person who seemed to want to talk to him. Elliot sat. She kept shifting and glancing his way.

“Just say it Elliot.”
“Is it true? That you’re bisexual? ‘Cause I’ve heard about it and I wanted to know if it was true and if it’s not I could verbally kick the ass of whomever has been spreading the rumor. Unless it’s true, ‘cause that wouldn’t be a problem. I mean you know my brother, Barry, was like that. Well partly. He never quite liked the ladies but he did like men. But he was still a very nice person, until he…well hung himself…Please don’t hang yourself!”

JD turned to Elliot. Normally her jabbering was hilarious, but as he looked at her face he could see how sincere she was being. She was clearly nervous about how to handle the situation but she seemed genuine in her plea.

“I don’t intend to, no. But yes I am.”

“So… Both the ladies and the gents, eh?”

“Yup.”

“Lucky.”

JD had a surprised expression. “What? It means you have a better chance to find the person that is just right for you.” Oh. JD hadn’t looked at it quite that way. He hadn’t expected that reaction from Elliot either.

“But, you’re seeing someone right?”

“Yes, yes I am.”

“Do I know him?”

“A little, yes.”

“Oh my god! Is it Keith? ‘Cause I mean he sure had a nice tushy. And it was bit weird that he would mix us up and find his way into your bed.”

“Now that you say it, yes it was. But no, it’s not him. It’s Harrison. Harrison Kelso.”

“No way! Ah frick! I have to go JD sorry. But I’m totally behind you two okay?”

Elliot had just been paged. She had smiled while leaving and JD found himself breathing out. There was at least one person he knew the reaction of. That was a positive beginning.

***

JD knew that Turk was avoiding him because the day was a calm one for both of them and yet he never crossed his path. That never happened. They tried to spend time together has often as possible when they were free. So, Chocolate bear was definitely avoiding him. That is why he was now hiding in the corner where the elevators were, waiting for his friend to pass by, ready to ambush him. Well that was the plan, but he had been there for a while and still no Turk in view.

“You are aware you look ridiculous like that right?” The Janitor was passing by with his trolley.

JD was flat against the wall, Mission Impossible style, when he answered in a half whisper. “No, you look ridiculous!” The Janitor always made him speak like he was five again. He hated that. He didn’t hear the Janitor’s answer because Turk had just entered one of the elevators. JD launched himself in the elevator, just before the door closed.

“DUDE!”

“Ah! No running away now Chocolate Bear.”

JD punched the stop button and looked at his friend intently. “Does it bother you that bad?”

Turk‘s face became very serious and his hands moved as he spoke, the gestures putting emphasis on his words.

“I don’t know, man. It’s a lot of information. I mean I don’t have a problem with gays per se, but it makes me uncomfortable.”

“I still like the ladies, too, Turk. It just happens that I like guys, too. And it doesn’t have to change things between us. I mean I get it if you want some space to take it all in. But just so you know, you will always remain my friend. I don’t have those sorts of feelings for you.”

Turk, surprisingly, was offended. “Do you mean I don’t look good enough for you? The whole Chocolate Bear stuff is alright for a friend but you would never get down with chocolate in love?”

“No, no! You do look attractive Turk, I just think of you as Carla’s other half you know? And you always have been a bit like my brother. I can appreciate how you look without it meaning something you know? Besides you know I’m totally down for the jungle fever.”

JD made a small dance moves to really bring it home. It seemed to have been the right thing to do as Turk smiled and joined in. When they were done, JD pushed the button of the elevator once more so it would start moving again.

“So you met someone, you said? Anyone I know?”

“Harrison”

“No way! I knew you liked him but I didn’t know you two had hooked up when he was here, naughty JD.”

“Haha no, we started to hang out after he left the hospital. Then one night there were peachtinis and things went, well, further.”

“No details please! I don’t think I want to hear that. But Harrison was great, I’m glad that you two are hooking up.”

The elevator stopped and they walked out. Turk hesitated for a minute then hugged JD. “I still love you man.” He walked away saying, “Peace out!”

JD smiled as relief washed over him. Losing his best friend would have been devastating. Dr. Cox passed by him but he didn’t say anything. JD thought it was odd, but he was far too chipper to put any thought into it.

***

JD had found the courage to go back to the nurses’ station. He handed in his paper work. After talking with Turk he had felt calm enough to concentrate on the work. But now he was at the counter and he noticed Carla was busy. Dr. Cox came by to grab a chart and JD saluted him but he got not (no) acknowledgement, which was unusual. Normally he would have been called a girls name or told to bugger off or at the very least gotten glared at, but no, nothing at all. He just left like he hadn’t seen JD. JD walked toward Carla smiling.

“Do you know what’s up with Dr. Cox?” Carla didn’t respond, she was writing something down. JD waited for a moment then said “Are you busy? I can come back later.”

“No, no it’s okay” Carla said but she didn’t look his way.

“Carla what is wrong with you?”

“Nothing!”

She started to walk still not looking at JD. He followed her, now a bit angry.

“Nothing? You won’t even look my way.”

She stopped in the empty patient room and sighed. She turned his way.

“You’re right I’m sorry. It’s just… It’s just, I don’t want you to think I have a problem with you being that way but then it occurred to me that you’re always so close to Turk and you two get along so well… I was just afraid that maybe, maybe you would steal him from me. That he would realize he loved you more.”

JD was a bit shocked then spoke softly chuckling.

“Don’t mock me, I’m serious.”

“Carla… That is not going to happen. He’s madly in love with you. And he’s like my brother. I swear.”

“I know... I must sound crazy.”

“No it’s okay. I mean we are close and sometimes I do ask a lot of attention from him. But Carla I would never do that. Besides, I’m already seeing someone.”

“You are?”

“Yup.”

The Latina woman‘s eyes went wide with happiness. “We can finally have couple dates!”

JD laughed out loud. Turk hadn’t been exaggerating about that.

***

JD was snuggled against Harrison on the couch. He kissed him behind the ear affectionately. He was so glad for the other man‘s presence. The day had been draining to say the least and he just wanted some quiet, normal time. He had told Harrison about his day and the other man had been more then supportive. Although all of his friends seemed on their way to accept him, there was one person he hadn’t had the chance to talk to. The very few times he had crossed paths with Dr. Cox, he had either been in a hurry or did not notice him. JD sighed.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing really. I’m just worried about Dr. Cox. I didn’t get to talk to him all day yesterday. I’m anxious about how he’s going to treat me tomorrow.”

“You like him a lot don’t you?”

“He’s my mentor even though he always denies it, so yes I do care. And I know it’s terrible to still feel that way at my age, but I do seek his approval on a certain level.”

“Well of what I’ve seen of him when I was at the hospital and what my father has told me - yes he does talk about you guys - he’s a good person deep down. Give him some time; I’m sure he’ll come around.”

“I hope you’re right.”

JD kissed Harrison softly.

***

JD woke up at the sound of his alarm clock, ready to start a new shift. He had gotten used to Harrison’s body next to his pretty fast. The other man shifted next to him, waking up too.

“You know, if you moved in you wouldn’t have to always go back home for clothing and all that.”
“JD, I really care about you, but that would be way too fast for me.”
“You are probably right. I always have this tendency to rush things. But you’re one of the rare people I’ve dated who actually didn’t rush in with me. I think it’s good.”

JD smiled genuinely. It faltered a little when he remembered the whole coming out and Dr. Cox thing. Harrison must have sensed it has he leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

“It’s going to be alright”.

***

Harrison had been wrong. While the day before had been slow, today was chaotic to say the least. JD had been on the run all morning, his pager ever beeping. He barely had time to stop for five minutes and literally swallow down a muffin at the nurses’ station before he had to get going again. Plus he barely got to see his Chocolate Bear. And he didn’t even get to talk to Dr. Cox or even stay in the same room has the older man for more than a few minutes at a time.

The next day had been similar in pattern. Thankfully the day after that had a more bearable pace. The bad thing about that was that JD was now noticing that Dr. Cox was in fact pretending JD didn’t exist whenever they were in the same room. No girls name, no yelling, no rants, nope, just pure indifference. It was chipping away at his very soul, piece by piece. It was more painful than anything his mentor had ever done in the past. His friends were trying to cheer him up, but there was little they could do. They weren’t the problem after all.

JD sighed. He was wondering if it had been worth it. This whole coming out thing had nearly ruined all of his relationships. Not that he didn’t think Harrison was worth it, but it had been much harder than he had expected it to be.

JD crossed paths with Dr. Cox on his way to the nurses’ station. “Hi Dr. Cox” came out of his mouth out of habit. He felt a pang when the man passed right by him without even glancing his way. JD sighed.

When lunchtime came, JD experienced the worst moment so far. The very moment he entered the cafeteria, his mentor had thrown away his half-eaten lunch and left the room. JD went to sit with Turk and Carla who both had been sharing the table with the now absent man. They glanced at each other and then at JD, concern written all over their faces.

“JD… I’m sure it’s not what it looks like,” Carla tried.

“If the jackass doesn’t come around for this one, then he’s really not worth your attention.”

“Turk!”

“Baby don’t even try to defend him. He had to be pushed to help JD out when his dad died. I have no problem believing the man has issues, but he can’t keep dumping on JD like that. I won’t have it.”

“It’s okay. No really, the silence is a nice change,” JD lied and smiled. He knew he hadn’t fooled them and they knew that he knew. They changed the subject to something lighter.

JD’s mood worsened when he realized he had to check on Mrs. Bloom. She was one of the most ungrateful and unkind middle-aged women JD had ever met. He took a breath in to prepare himself and entered, smiling. “Hello Mrs. Bloom. How are you this morning?”

“Decent.” JD stared surprised. That was the most polite the patient had ever been to anyone.

JD checked the woman’s vitals, thankfully stable. The woman seemed to be responding to the medication so far. “I think you might be on your way to recovery Mrs. Bloom.”

The woman nodded. She had been staring at JD the whole time. “If you need anything from me, just let me know.” JD was about to leave. “Wait. I have something for you.” JD turned, surprised. The woman never said thank you, so receiving something from her was unheard of. The woman took JD’s wrist and passed a band around it. She smiled, or at least JD took it as a smile, and then said, “A lot of patients would appreciate if you wore that. More than you think.”

JD looked down, it was a rainbow colored plastic band. JD was confused for a moment then remembered the rainbow flags he had seen near the lounge where he had first hooked up with Harrison. Oh. OH. He blushed a little and muttered a “thank you” to Mrs. Bloom and left.

***

Two weeks had passed and Dr. Cox was still ignoring JD. The young doctor was preparing for his shift. Harrison wrapped his arms around JD. He was always more affectionate when he felt his boyfriend was sad.

“You know, maybe I could come by this week, for lunch or something. Dr. Cox seemed to like me when I was over, maybe it would help if he saw you with a nice person.”

JD smiled at his boyfriend in the mirror. “That could actually work. He still wears your Converse shoes by the way.” Laughter filled the small bathroom.

Since Dr. Cox had taken to ignoring him completely, JD had decided on a new strategy. Whenever they were in the same room, and JD made sure it happened often, he would just talk to the older man nonstop. At first he had been careful about the topics he talked about, but a week ago, he had started to poke at all the subjects that would normally have earned him an earful. He blabbered about his patients, his opinion on different life topics, hair products, girly stuff, geeky stuff and even his weird daydreams. JD wouldn’t have been able to prove it, but he was sure the man listened to him. There was just something in his posture. The younger man was still hurting at the rejection but he was determined for them to at least talk about it once, even if that meant that Dr. Cox would clearly state that he hated him now. JD would have given a lot to get a long rant, heck at this point he would even take a “Ginger”. That is why he persisted. This morning his monologue was about how he loved to steal Elliot’s beauty products.

“She has the best lavender shampoo I have ever used. It’s far better than the cheap stuff; you can totally smell the difference. When you open the bottle it literally smells like you’re running in a field of flowers…”

JD eyes went to the left. Dr. Cox was glancing right and left to see if anyone was watching him. He opened the shampoo bottle and as he breathed in the scent, he suddenly found himself in a field of flowers, wearing a white dress. He started running and giggling.

“You would never giggle… or wear a white dress” JD said snapping out of it. Dr. Cox‘s back straightened a little at that sentence.

The rest of the day went on like the past two weeks had. He took care of all his patients and paperwork while finding time to follow his mentor around and talk nonsense to him. He knew his friends didn’t quite approve of his behavior (he knew it probably looked desperate) but he couldn’t help it. He needed things to work out.

Then one afternoon, when he was in the bathroom washing his hands, Dr. Cox entered. He had stopped leaving the room when he saw JD and would just pretend he was not there, which hurt even more in retrospect. The leaving at least meant that he saw him.

JD started singing to himself as he dried his hands, his sleeves rolling down exposing his rainbow colored band.

“Good lord Newbie, are you that desperate? Do you really need to flaunt it that much?”

JD was stunned. Dr. Cox had talked to him, for the first time since he came out, three weeks ago.

“What are you talking about? I’m just singing the theme song to my favorite show –” He was interrupted by Dr. Cox grabbing his arm forcefully. What on earth was he doing? JD half-closed his eyes, expecting a punch in the face. When it never came, he peeked through his eyelids only to see his mentor pulling at the rainbow band in disgust. JD was suddenly filled with an anger he had rarely felt in the past. All the things he had been thinking about the past weeks came out in one go.

“It was a gift from Mrs. Bloom. Turns out she thinks a lot of patients would appreciate the gesture. And you know what? If it helps any of them feel better I sure as hell won’t hide it. For someone who gave me a speech about loving “the gays”, you sure have been acting like a homophobe. Did it ever occur to you that LGBT (he had learned the term while talking with Harrison, when he had mistaken the 4 letters for a BLT sandwich with Guacamole) patients would feel comforted to see a reassuring symbol? Just like people of color are reassured when they see that the staff isn’t all white. The difference is they are an invisible minority, and before I came out I never got how it felt to be cast out for something that isn’t even visible to the eye or controllable. Thanks to you I had a five-star treatment reality check like only Perry Cox can give you.”

JD jerked his arm out of the grasp, which surprised both men. He got out of the bathroom has fast has possible. He was in deep shit, he was sure of it.

***

The following day, JD spent the morning taking care of his patients while hiding from Dr. Cox. They hadn’t talked since the day before and he had a feeling he was going to get his ass kicked. He was glad to see that it was now lunchtime; Harrison had promised to come by for moral support after JD had told him about his little outburst.

JD entered the cafeteria and smiled when he saw his boyfriend already seated with Carla, Elliot and Turk. JD bought his food and sat next to Harrison. They exchanged a short kiss, oblivious to the world around them. The air grew tense as Dr. Cox approached their table.

“Hey Harrison, if Ginger here is too much of a leech let me know, I’ll make sure to keep her busy.”

“I’ll be sure to let you know. By the way pink is so your color.”

“Oh, shut up.”

Dr. Cox smiled a little and the whole atmosphere softened. They all talked and laughed. Harrison had to leave, he kissed JD goodbye. The young Doctor knew at that very moment that his feelings were growing, becoming stronger.

“You coming, Newbie?”

It was going be all right.

AN2: I know Dr. Cox comes off as a total jackass but the next part will explain a lot of it, so stay tuned ;)