In Her Sleep

A Poor Broken Orphan

Another day, another successful operation, a life saved...

"Just your typical day in the E.R."

Caleb smiles at Josh sitted across his table. They were partners in the E.R today. He is one of the few doctors Caleb enjoys working with. They are exhausted as usual and just came to the hospital cafeteria for a cup of coffee and some much needed fresh air.

"Are you going in again?"

"Nah...that's it from me today." Caleb replies as he sips his coffee. Besides being tired, he wants to get back to Layla. Just a thought of her and his world seems to get brighter. Now that she is under his roof knocking off is the best part of his day. It's only been a few hours...

"Well more like a day." He mumbles under his breath after looking at his watch.

"Why...you getting old aready?"

Caleb bursts out laughing.

"My energy spring is far from drying up. Though I can't say the same for you." He smirks at his fellow doctor before getting up.

"I have something to take care of that's all." He puts his cup down after taking his last sip.

"Something or someone?" Josh narrows his eyes at him.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

Caleb leaves with a smile on his face knowing very well he just left his friend hanging.

"Hey!"

Caleb doesn't even look back when his friend calls after him. As much as he would want to tell them about Layla, he doesn't want to complicate matters. After all she is still his patient technically.

He walks towards his office ready to freshen up before heading home.

With just a step into his office after getting there he stops just by the door when he finds someone sitting on one of the chairs. For a moment he thinks it's one of his patients but when the person turns around he loses his happy face and puts on a hard one.

"Am so sorry Dr. Young. I tried to stop him but he wouldn't listen."

His petite secretary appears by his side looking nervous.

"It's ok Joanna, I'll take it from here." He smiles at her as she looks relieved before walking back to her desk.

"To what or who do I owe the honour of your presence?"

Caleb continues standing by his door with arms folded and amusement dancing in his eyes while his visitor looks like they are about to blow up in his face.

"I want my fiancèe Young!"

"Shouldn't that be ex fiancèe?" Caleb retorts as he walks in after closing the door behind him.

"She can tell that to my face."

"Oh that can be arranged." Caleb replies giving Simon a bored look.

"You are enjoying this aren't you?"

"Can't say am not." Caleb grins at a very upset Simon.

"I wonder what the hospital board has to say about taking advantage of a poor broken orphaned patient."

Caleb's fist connects with his table in anger at Simon's words. He loathes the description Simon just made of Layla and for a split second he almost punched him but knowing Simon that could turn into some big useless lawsuit which he wouldn't want to deal with now. He instead takes a deep breath and leans back in his chair before answering.

"I don't know...why don't you go on and ask them."

Caleb knows its stupid to dare him but he just has to let Simon know that he doesn't scare that easily.

"Well?"

"Let's just see how long you can keep that smirk on Young."

With those words Simon turns to walk out of Caleb's office still looking furious.

"Tell me Dawson...how does it feel to take advantage of the so called poor broken orphan?"

Caleb smiles when Simon stops in his tracks. He was about to open the office door when he suddenly becomes tense.

"You know nothing!"

Simon sneers but Caleb just laughs.

"Try me." He looks at him with a pointed look.

"Awwww is our good doctor falling from his high pedestal to join the rest of us?"

Simon's words are dripping with sarcasm but Caleb is not moved even one bit.

"Just know that I will do absolutely anything and I mean anything for her. That includes getting everything that was taken...or should I say, everything that was not rightfully given to her."

Simon's bewildered look makes Caleb smirk. The satisfaction he just got from his reaction is everything. He was expecting some reaction but to have Simon look totally shaken up confirms to Caleb just how deeply connected he is to what Darren found out.

"What makes you so sure I will give it up?"

"Well the thing is...it's not yours to give up." He smirks at him enjoying how every little piece of information he is giving him seems to drain the life out of his face.

"I would like to see you try."

With that Simon walks out of the office and bangs the door behind him leaving Caleb looking at the door satisfied.

"Caleb 1, Simon 0." He exclaims as he drops on his seat. He feels so fired up after that encounter and the excitement bubbling inside of him moves him to rethink the one thing he has been avoiding for so long.

Having Layla already made him start reconsidering but the encounter he just had with Simon reminds him of the good old days. Besides, this time around there is something or rather someone worth fighting for.

He picks up his phone and decides to call Darren. Maybe it's time...

"Hey Darren, where are you?"

"At the company, why?"

"Am coming over."

"Wait..what?"

Caleb cuts the line before Darren can start preaching to him on why this is a bad decision. But the decision is already made. He looks around his office and smiles. This place will always be his passion, but like his mother told him...it's ok to have more than one passion. It's taken him some time to accept that fact but maybe it's time he let go of his past and live his life unafraid.

He grabs his coat and walks out of his office while he prepares his mind to re enter the life he never really wanted to live again.

It's takes him a while before his car stops in front of a shiny skyscraper and as always a number of people are lined up to welcome him making him tense at the sight. He however relaxes a bit when he sees Darren walking his way and he switches off the engine before stepping out of his car.

He smiles at Darren when he sees him approaching but the sour look on his friend's face makes Caleb compose himself.

"What are you doing here?"

The threatening tone in Darren's voice just makes him roll his eyes.

"Is that the way to welcome your president?" Caleb smirks and Darren breaks out in a huge smile.

"Never ever thought you would call yourself that again Dr. Young."

"Makes two of us."

They both burst out laughing as Darren gives him a hug.

"Welcome back man."

"Thanks.. now let me see what you've done with the place." Caleb pats his friend's back lightly before they head inside the building.

"Wow!" Caleb exclaims when they step foot inside. Darren was definitely not kidding when he said he had wiped out the old memories of the place.

"You like?"

"Absolutely amazing! Are you sure this is the same place?"

"Wait till you see the whole thing."

Darren grabs his hand and leads him up the stairs like a kid wanting to show off a brand new toy while Caleb follows quietly but matching his enthusiasm.

"What is the theme for this year's Men in business party?"

Caleb suddenly asks making Darren stop and turn to him.

"I thought you hated that kind of thing?"

"Let's just say I never had proper motivation before, but now I have every reason to attend the damn thing. After all it seems this year that award is definitely ours."

He looks at Darren whose eyes are already twinkling in excitement.

"It's so good to have you back man."

His friend out of excitement fist bumps him so hard it hurts.

"Let the games begin." Caleb smirks as he massages his knuckles.

"Hell yeah...Let's have some fun. It was beginning to get boring around here." Darren chirps making Caleb laugh  out loud.

Stuff like this always made him the happiest. He already feels good about his decision to get back in the game.

"But you know I would be a terrible friend if I didn't ask. Are you sure about this? I mean it's been so long and you might be cranky you know."

Caleb raises his eyebrows in an are you kidding me kind of way and Darren raises his hands in surrender.

"I guess the king is back."