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You okay?” Mel tilted her head to one side, watching Frank lock his phone.
“Yeah.” He lied. “I’m just…wondering if I’m really ready to be back here.”
Mel blinked. “Of course you are.”
“I’m not sure Robby would agree with you.”
“Why wouldn’t you be? You’re…you’re you? You-You’re like, the best doctor in here, and-“
“Mel.” Frank cut her off. He gave her the most pathetic look she’d ever seen.
“I’m not who you think I am.”
Mel froze. What did he mean?
“I’m a complete fuck-up, Mel, I am. I practiced medicine on benzos. Took some from the hospital. Robby kicked me out - gave me a choice: rehab or jail? I chose rehab, of course I fucking did, I spent 10 months alone, I barely saw my children, I come back here and every single person in this place looks at me with either disappointment, shame or fucking hatred.”
As he talked, he fidgeted with his hands, taking his ring on and off, picking at the skin around his fingernails. Mel watched him well up with emotion as he got everything off his chest. Nobody had really opened up to her this way before.
“You can’t sanctify me like this. You don’t know the truth.” Frank looked at the floor. “At least…you didn’t until now. And now that you know, you can join the rest of them in crucifying me and you can go on and be amazing at what you do without me.”
His tone was defeated, almost mournful of what could’ve been.
He stared at her. He braced himself for a fight, preparing to lose her.
“Stand up.” Mel finally spoke. It came out so quietly but so seriously at the same time.
“What?”
“Stand up, Dr Langdon.” Harsher this time. Mel’s eyebrows were furrowed, her eyes concentrated on him. “Just do it.”
Fearful, he slowly rose from his chair like a kid who was about to get in trouble.
She stepped toward him and…pulled him into a hug?
Mel had her arms around his torso, holding tightly but not too tight to hurt his back.
Frank was stunned into silence. He predicted every scenario but this.
“You seemed like you needed a hug.” she whispered.
Mel felt his heart pounding.
After what felt like years, he carefully placed his arms around her too, and rested his chin on her head. He closed his eyes for a moment, expecting to wake up from whatever dream he was having, but when he opened them again she was still there.
“I don’t-” He stuttered. “I don’t understand.”
Mel pulled away to look at him. She hated eye contact - but it felt easier with him. It always had.
“I’m glad you told me that. It’s not healthy to bottle things up.”
Frank was still confused as to why she hadn’t ran away screaming. He went back to fidgeting with his hands.
“You made some pretty bad mistakes. People do that when they feel…stuck, or trapped. Like they don’t know what else to do. I’ve seen it, like a lot, but I’ve also seen what you’re capable of, and I just can’t-“ Mel stopped, and took a beat to collect her thoughts. She took a deep breath.
“I don’t think you’re a bad person. Everyone else might, but I don’t.”
The words hit Frank like a truck.
“You’re the only person here that gives me the time of day. You’re the only person who’s still standing there when I finish talking.” Her turn to get things off her chest.
“I actually, um- I don’t care. If you’re not ready to be back, I don’t care. I need you to be here. And that’s really selfish of me, but it’s true.”
“You can be selfish, Mel.” Frank remembered she had spent most of her life taking care of her sister. She probably hadn’t had the opportunity to be selfish in years.
“Do you feel better?” Mel asked, timidly. “Did I make things worse?”
“No.” Frank’s face softened. “No, you made them better.
Thank you for the hug.”
Mel smiled at him warmly. He could’ve watched her smile at him forever.
She glanced down and her face changed slightly. “Can I ask you something? It’s okay if you don’t want to answer - that was a lot already.”
“Shoot.” Frank didn’t have much else to lose.
“I noticed you take your ring on and off a lot. I know you have kids, but I was wondering if things were okay, because it could be really stressful for you.”
Frank swallowed a lump in his throat. He wasn’t quite sure how to put this, as nobody but Dana had really brought up his relationship.
“I’m separated.” It felt good to get it out.
“She’s…um, she’s not my biggest fan since I made my mistakes.”
“Okay.” Mel slowly nodded her head, taking it in.
Frank sighed. “She has my kids, so…I’m working the holiday because I’m pretty much by myself.”
“That makes two of us.” Mel had a disappointed look on her face.
“Becca is now watching the fireworks with her boyfriend who I just found out existed so our Fourth plans are kinda out the window. Doing this one alone. Super happy for her.” Mel said dryly.
“Mm.” Frank took a second to think. Mel looked behind her at the door, planning to head back out there, but whipped back around to look at Frank as he spoke.
“You don’t have to be alone.”
Mel was taken aback. “I don’t?”
“Yeah, I mean…we don’t know each other that well but…I guess the best company for the fireworks would be the only person here that doesn’t hate my guts?” His eyes moved from the floor to her. He looked hopeful.
Mel thought for a moment. She decided to be selfish.
“It might be ill advised…” His heart sank a little. Did he overstep?
Mel’s beautiful smile returned to her face.
“But I don’t care about that either. Yes.”
Frank couldn’t help but smile too. “Okay.”
“Onward, Captain Scurvy.” Mel joked while opening the door, inviting him to come with her.
He followed like a puppy to it’s owner, laughing in a mix of relief and genuine excitement.
“You know you can call me Frank, right?”
Mel pretended to think about it. “Ehh, I like Captain Scurvy better.”