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Heel, toe, out.... heel, toe, in.... heel, toe, out....

Pat's breath was in time to his steps as he ran along a park's path. His arms swung in tandem with the beats as his eyes focused on the ground moving beneath his battered sneakers. Running was a form of escape for him, he wasn't running away from anything or too anything but just running. He didn't listen to music, or run with buddies. He was completely and solely focused on the feel of his feet hitting the path, the rhythm of his breathing, and the burn of his muscles. He had needed this run, this mental escape.

He was nearing the end of his run when something in the middle of the path had him stumble and fall. Pat landed hard on his hands and knees, tumbling to the side where he lay on his back in the grass staring up at the blue sky. His hands and knees stinging where the skin had been abused not that he noticed at the moment because something shiny and gold and impossible was haunting him... hunting him... tormenting him.

That damn whistle had been following him forever it seemed and everytime he tried to get someone else to see it, it was gone. It could not have existed let alone in the middle of the path. It showed up whenever he didn't expect it and disappeared before he even realised it was there. He was even jumping at the mere site of a gold item where it shouldn't be. A chocolate coin, a carelessly placed necklace, even a gold coin someone had picked up at the bank. He wasn't going crazy... he really wasn't.

Lucky Pat was alone in the park so no one had seen his ungraceful fall or worse asked him what had happened. After a moment to catch his breath and to brace himself for what he would find, or not find, the tall redhead slowly sat up and glanced over. The glint of gold was still there but when he climbed to his feet to take a closer look all Pat saw was discarded trash. Someone had eaten a Twix and tossed their trash right there on the path, how he had missed that on his previous loops Pat had no idea. With a muttered curse he scooped up the offending piece of litter and tossed it in a nearby trashcan.

What ever pleasure the redhead had found in his run was quite over. All he wanted was a cold drink, preferably a beer but he would be content with water or ice tea but it would have to wait until he got home. With that in mind he headed out of the park and back onto the city sidewalks, his battered sneakers scuffing across the cement just as they did the park path. The scent of bread and sweets set his stomach to rumbling reminding Pat that breakfast had been a long time ago. It wouldn't hurt to stop for a bagel or a muffin, they might even have some water he could get. He was about to go in when his reflection gave Pat a start.

A dark gray sweatshirt grass stained and slightly sweaty, shorts in the same kind of condition, and battered sneakers. He looked like a hoodlum with the sweatshirt's hood up, and to make matters worse he noticed his knee was slowly bleeding from his earlier fall. Pat hastily shoved the hood off as he opened the bakery door, apparently his stop would be for more than substanance but for some basic first aid.

Pat didn't get much of a chance to really look around when a young voice called out. A glance around showed a young boy who was looking right at him and at first he didn't recognized the boy. It was the bright red eyes though that gave him the clue Pat needed, it was the kid from the concert explosion. "Hey, Briar right? How are you and your brother doing?" Both Briar and his brother had gone through a pretty traumatic experience, a surprisingly common experience in the city but still traumatic.

"And I'm not a Doc, just a EMT kid." He smiled to sooth any harshness his correction might have portrayed. "So do you like this place? What would you suggest? I got to do a little patching on myself," He gestured to his knee before adding, "and want to get something sweet as a treat. That and since I'm hoping to use some of their first aid kit, I can repay them with buying some something."

“That’s great.” Pat’s smile was wide and genuine. He was very happy that both boys seem to have healed from the gas explosion. Being one of the first medical personnel on a scene like that, Pat knew that the consequences could have been so much worse so he was truly thankful that at least those two were doing just fine. He feared that there were more who were not as lucky.

With a chuckle the tall redhead gently waved away Briar’s concern, “I’ve gotten worse scrapes camping. A little soap, water, and antiseptic… a bit of work and it will be all patched up.” He glanced down and eyed the scrape, pleased that it was already scaring over but with a mental wince at the thought of how much cleaning he was going to do to make sure it was clean.

“Hey Briar you up for helping me out a little bit? I’ve got to get this cleaned out but I don't want the cookies to sell out. You think you can guard them if I get a few before patching myself up? Of course I’ll share them with you.” It was a simple idea but Pat figured it would make the young boy happy and Pat himself could munch on a few of the delicious cookies without looking like a pansy.

"Thanks Briar," Pat smiled and gestured to one of the few tables set by the large plate glass windows. Even with the store being primarily a bakery it still apparently had customers who ate in. "Go ahead and take a seat while I talk to the guy behind the counter. Hopefully I can get him to pass you the cookies while I deal with my knee." He turned away and approached the counter. The kid behind it was eyeing his outfit but seemed to change his demeanor when Pat fished out his wallet.

"Hey man, I was out running and took a tumble. Can I borrow the use of your first aid kit?" He fished out his only twenty and held it up. "For the trouble and the supplies. I would also love a half dozen of your chocolate chip cookies to share with my friend over there." He nodded towards Briar. Pat knew the kid behind the counter had seen and heard the earlier conversation so he didn't think there would be any issues. Considering how the young man's eyes were practically glued to the twenty Pat figured that he had a deal. He payed for the cookies on his card and when the kid came back from the back room with the kit he passed over the twenty. "Just give Briar the cookies, I'll be right back."

He grabbed the kit and waved at Briar before ducking into the single stall bathroom. It didn't take long to do the patching on his knee but it did sting like hell, there was more dirt in it then Pat expected so it took more cleaning to get it out. The redhead made it back to the counter with only a slight limp, passed over the kit, and gratefully sat down at the small table before scooping up one of the cookies. "So Briar how are the cookies? Worth the wait?"

Pat laughed as he watched the young kid stuff his face with a cookie before taking a bite himself. He couldn't help but give an appreciative hum as the sugar and chocolate melted in his mouth. "Might have to fight you over the last one Briar... that or take a few dozen home with me." They really were good cookies and well worth the very minor pain he had to deal with. As soon as he finished his cookie and started in on his second Pat asked, "So Briar you staying out of trouble? You said your brother is back at school. Everything doing ok?"

It wasn't often that he got to talk to the people he got to help after the fact. Once everything had settled and gotten back to normal. It was a nice surprise to spend time with the young man, to see how he handled the explosion and the aftermath. Pat wondered if the kid still believed that it was the result of some kind of monster but kept his mouth shut. No point in bringing that up since the redhead was sure that it was all a figment of Briar's imagination, much like the whistle that Pat could have sworn he had seen several times now but whenever someone else looked it was gone. As a practical joke it's hilarious but now, a few months later, its gone beyond annoying to worrisome and frustrating as hell.

Pat couldn't help the smile that broke out on his face at the typical answer for the common question of school. "Yeah that was pretty much my response when I was asked about school. That and 'fine' with some attitude was pretty normal" It was always amusing to see just how little things changed when it came to the younger generation. Then again it was shocking just how much had changed in just a decade. The redhead had a thing for older shows and had recently started to rewatch Macgyver. So many of the things he did wouldn't have been possible in today's digital world, then again maybe they would have. It was interesting to see dated 'technological advances' and to wonder at how the world went from that to what we had now.

The emt had mentally digressed as he slipped into a moment of nostalgia. Pat finished up his second cookie in a final bite to cover his mental deviation. "I'm glad that 'school is school'." He shot the younger male a knowing smile before snagging his third cookie. No more cookies for him since he had ate his half of the half dozen but Pat knew that he would be taking a dozen home with him so he could just pig out on them as he watched reruns of the A-team. It was either that or he watch some anime but he wasn't sure what show to just space out on. Sword Art Online was a good one and it was on Netflix but they also had Rurouni Kenshin which was a personal favorite of his.

He was about to ask about Briar's afternoon plans when his phone began to ring. "Dam..." He cut of his curse with a glance at Briar as he quickly pulled the phone from his sweater pocket. It was the station house. He shrugged apologetically at the boy before answering. "Yeah, this is Pat." His face went a little stormy, "But its my day off." Annoyance followed by resignation. "Fine. Just for this no cookies for you!" He ended the call and sighed.

"Sorry Briar. I just got called into work. Apparently the night guy woke up sick this morning so I'm filling in for him." He looked at the half eaten cookie in his hand, all enjoyment of the snack lost. Pat was not looking forward to the long night ahead but he didn't have a choice. Damn, damn, damn... double damn was all he could think of as he finished the cookie and did a check of his pockets to make sure he had everything. With an apologetic smile he got up. "I really do have to run now. I'm glad you and your brother are doing good. No more explosions ok?" It was meant as a parting joke but the medic really had no idea just how impossible his directive was.

Pat headed out the door, the bell of the shop tinkling merrily, pausing once on the threshold. "You be careful now.... 'Doctor's' orders." He chuckled and headed out. The sooner he got to the station the longer the nap he could have before his shift started.