You could almost see a pulsing aura of charisma around Alex when he grinned at his own awkwardness, Gabriel thought wryly. The dude just wasn’t real. Bracingly, Gabriel added, “Well, it’s starting to look hopeful on the legal end, and that means a hope for real change on the clinical side, too, I think.”
Alex's expression was serious. “That can't come soon enough. My goal is zero patients, but until then, zero barriers for patients. I don't need to tell you how hard it is for Omegas to come to us for help as things stand.”
“Amen. Speaking of obstacles… do you mind a little more work chat? After I finish absolutely all of my cake and talk to a few more people? It won’t take long.” Gabriel smiled at him hopefully. Professionally, things were going swimmingly. He was pretty confident that Alex would be willing to give him some good information about Jaiden's situation.
“Not at all, of course not," Alex assured. "Let me run over and say goodbye to my mom and a couple of people, and you can chat up a few more board members and finish your cake, and then let’s walk over and grab a cup of coffee at the place across the street and you can tell me what’s on your mind. Do you have time for that?”
Well, that was more than Gabriel had been hoping for, but he wasn't about to turn down any help he could get for that poor kid. “I do. That would be fantastic. And I could use the caffeine, too. I’ve been reviewing for the Maryland Bar since I got the job offer last month, and I try to spend a couple of hours a night working on it. I’m taking my first swing at it at the end of the month and I’m hoping for a one-and-done. Those weird old maritime laws are killer, though. Meet you by the door when I'm done?”
Alex nodded.They each worked the room for a little longer and then Alex wrapped up a conversation, caught Gabriel’s eye and gestured towards the door with his head, lifting his eyebrows questioningly. Gabriel gave him a little nod, thanked Victoria again and met him at the door. Alex pulled it open and held it for him politely. “I know you’re busy, so I won’t keep you too long,” he said as Gabriel passed through the doorway.
“No, no! You’re the one doing me the favor here. Again," Gabriel protested as they headed outside.
Alex gave him a very stern look. “That was way too close to an illegal thank-you. Watch yourself, sir.”
“My bad, my bad." Gabriel dug in the big leather tote he always carried and produced a slightly crumpled pack of Wrigley’s. “Stick of gum?”
“Hmm? Oh, sure, thank you.” Alex started to reach for a piece automatically.
Gabriel pulled the pack back slightly and with an exultant Ha! "Got my extra thank you back. Now we’re even. Never trust a lawyer.”
Alex grinned down at him. “Dirty pool. Very dirty pool. Can I still have the gum?”
Fighting off a case of unprofessional vapors from the grin, Gabriel handed him the pack. “Help yourself. Let the cool mintiness soothe your burn.”
They smiled at each other stupidly for a second. “It makes me happy to see you happy,” Alex said simply.
“Thanks.”
“So what’s going on that I can help you with?” said Alex, pulling open the coffee shop door and holding it for Gabriel.
Gabriel strolled up to the counter and looked over his shoulder at Alex. “My treat, since you’re going to let me pick your brain for what is sure to be the first of many times.”
Alex opened his mouth and Gabriel thought he was going to protest. Instead, after a quick pause, he said “Mm, okay, but I’ll owe you one. One iced coffee with lots of almond milk and three pumps of chocolate syrup, please.”
Gabriel chuckled. “Did you just order a caffeinated chocolate milk?”
“What if I did? I’m a very secure man. I can enjoy the finer things in life without shame. And it was almond milk… Almond,” Alex repeated for emphasis, “which is a very refined and mature milk.”
“Did you want whipped cream on that?” the cashier asked in a bored voice.
“Oh yeah, absolutely,” Alex confirmed.
“I’ll have the same,” Gabriel ordered with a grin and handed the hipster behind the counter some cash. He had survived the board meeting introduction, he had not broken down and cried at first contact with Dr. Anderson which was a scenario he had definitely worried about a few times after he took the job, he was a little high on facial symmetry, and he was about to save himself a trip across town on an already busy day tomorrow. He was absolutely crushing it tonight.
Refocusing, Gabriel tried to summarize the Jaiden problem as briefly as possible for Alex. “So here’s the situation. I have a sixteen year old Omega, Jaiden, with a six or seven week old claim bite from a twenty-seven year old man. His school guidance counselor referred him to us, bless her. He lives, or lived, with his dad. Other parent’s not in the picture–and he hid the claim from the father for about a month before he got caught and his dad threw him out. I know that since he’s living on his own, he can consent to medical treatment, but I’m not sure if he will consent to medical treatment since his abuser was very manipulative. He needs counseling so that he’ll agree to get some counseling, if you know what I mean,” Gabriel sighed.
“Anyway, I know the clock is ticking for him on pheromone spread. I’ve tried to talk to the father once, because the kid could really use someone besides me in his corner and I can tell he misses his dad, but the dad hung up on me as soon as he realized I was a lawyer. I’m also pretty sure this kid’s family doesn’t have a lot of extra money lying around, so I’m wondering about payment options for treatment, and finally, I’m wondering if there’s anything I can do to help him find a more long-term shelter situation, because if we can get him to come into the clinic and if I can find funding, I know steady shelter will make him more likely to compete his treatment. And besides, he’s so sweet and so young. I just don’t want him to end up on the street one night because he ran out of couches to surf."
Alex listened intently and then pursed his lips, thinking.
“Your coffees, sir. Have a good night.” The cashier slid them forward across the counter. Alex picked up both of them and gestured with his elbow at a group of comfy chairs arranged around a low table. “Sit over there?”
“That’s fine.” Gabriel followed him over to the seating area.
They sat in armchairs at right angles to each other. Alex spoke. “Hmm. So there’s maybe actually four problems there, but the first three I know how to solve. First, the clinic has a pretty substantial fund earmarked for the treatment of uninsured or underinsured forced claim victims. Three guesses who got that up and rolling.” He smiled wryly.
Gabriel snorted. Victoria again. “Terrible and beautiful” he muttered.
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