A Date with Jack, Jim, and Jose

[Nathaniel Harver]

The small bar was on the edge of what was known at the 'club district' of Kalispell, though it wasn't like New York or Los Angeles.  It wasn't like there were blocks of bars or clubs to choose from, but enough that he'd found one to frequent fairly often. He'd tucked himself into a small corner of the bar nursing his third glass of Jack Daniels and Dr. Pepper. Yes, Dr. Pepper. He liked the soda better so why no mix it with his favorite type of booze?

He swirled the liquid in the glass staring off across the bar at the hottest guy in the place. No, it was not a 'gay bar' it was just a decent place that had more than old foggies crowning over the good ole days. Guys that were close to his age and enjoyed a somewhat quiet place to drink. The guy was standing with a group of friends occassionally jerking their attention up to the television. There was some sort of sporting event going on, or maybe it was the news. He couldn't tell.

Nate downed his third glass waving for the server to get him his fourth. Luckily his powers inhibited most side affects of getting drunk. Though he wasn't wasting the energy to stop from feeling the affects it was just that over time it just didn't affect him as quickly. Besides didn't everyone build a tolerance toward alcohol? Or maybe it was just a sign that he drank too much.

Sighing he rubbed his eyes wondering why he'd bothered putting in contacts. It wasn't like he was going to land a date for the night. Not that he'd gone out hoping to get laid or something. He just didn't want to spend another night snuggled up against Bunny and Bam Bam.  Though he was pretty sure he'd just spend the night with Jim, Jack, and maybe a little Jose.

He continued to stare at the extremely attractive man across the bar, obviously getting at least a little affected by the booze. Seeing as he'd been staring for a least twenty minutes now. Usually he knew better but for some reason he just didn't care, which honestly wasn't that surprising. Wait, were they noticing him staring? Or just looking at the hot girls on the next table over? Nope, they noticed. Crap. He stared down at his new glass as the guy started over to his table. It was times like this when he wished his power was invisibility.

[Jason Campbell]

When Jason wanted to have a drink, he was generally going out. Not that he didn’t have alcohol at home, but there was something depressing about drinking alone. Sure, he would still be drinking alone, technically, but there would also be other people, so at the same time, he was not. He totally ignored the first clubs and bars he passed by. He had never been much of a clubber so the Silverlight was not exactly a place for him. He preferred something smaller and quieter, somewhere he wouldn’t have to nudge anyone in the ribs as he tried to drink. He had his favourites for that. If he wanted to eat as well, there was one that had an almost old Irish pub atmosphere that was perfect. He often went there with Guy. There was also this other one he’s go on occasion. The place was often crowded with people in their mid-twenties and above who wanted something quieter than a nightclub but still livelier than some art cafe or whatever they called it.

Jason had no idea how many people would be there tonight. He supposed there was a game, but let’s be honest, there always was a game of one sport or another playing at all time. And bars knew better than not to show news and sport events. Still, when he first entered the place, he was almost tempted to leave. Obviously there was a game going on and it interested a fair share of people. But he was there and he didn’t want to go through another bar hoping it would be quieter. He knew it would not. Besides, he came here to drink with people around and he had that.

Jason ordered some whiskey, making it a double already. He didn’t want to bother the barman too often and would savour the golden beverage. He noticed a familiar face in a corner of the bar. The man had not noticed him already. But Jason recognized Nathaniel. He was not seeing him as often as his partner, the oh so infamous Officer JJ Johnson, but he still saw the man on occasions. He found him of a far better company. He understood Jason was straight and would not turn gay for any man, he actually listened when he gave him some medical advice and his vocabulary didn’t force him to say bitch or pussy every ten words.

Curious as to what he might be looking at exactly, he followed his gaze and saw the man. He straightened up, also recognizing the man at the table. And when he saw him coming over to Nate’s spot, Jason gulped down what remained of his drink and walked faster than the other man to Nathaniel, patting his back as he joined him. The man seemed to stop and hesitate before going back to his seat. “I didn't expect to see you, I hope you’re off duty,” he commented. He eyed towards the man, just to make sure he didn’t come to them and really chose to sit down again. That done he ordered another glass. “You’re not losing anything worth it, trust me. Doesn’t swing that way,” he commented. Well, unless he had a twin who was straight and just came to the clinic with his girlfriend not that long ago. Then, he was ready to apologize to Nate for making him lose his hookup.

[Nathaniel Harver]

The guy was actually coming over and he was smiling. His stomach was in knots and he suddenly couldn't breathe. Then Doc Campbell decided to freaking block his possible pleasurable night. He felt his power click and a rush run down his arms as he glared at the doctor. Nate lifted the half drank Jack and Pepper mixture before downing it drowning out the burst of anger pouring as raw energy into his hands. The energy burned his skin but quickly faded as Nate regained control. Always in control even when he was trying to drink away his cares.

"Yeah, they never seem to." At least not in this town. He swore he was the only homosexual man in Kalispell. What did he expect in nowhere Montana? Sighing he set his glass at the edge of the table then signaled for a refill. "And yes, I'm off duty. Anything I can do for you Doctor?"

It wasn't often that he spent time with the healer seeing as he usually just took care of himself. Seeing at he didn't have to feel his pain most of the time he just ignored whatever it was that was ailing him. Though there were times he'd had to get stitched up, but not as often as his overly violent partner. His dull eyes scan the bar giving up on going home with someone that night. But that wasn't exactly surprising.

[Jason Campbell]

Nate probably hated him right now. It was far from his intention to deprive him of some fun. Just because he was not into man on man action didn’t mean he would not let others have it. Of course, it would be best if the two of them wanted it. And unless Jason was mistaken on who the second man was, and he was pretty sure he was not, he assumed he was more into the ladies not too far from Nate than the police officer himself. Still, he supposed he deserved a bit of hate on the man’s part.

He didn’t mean to have Nate feel down with what he said. But he’d rather not have him get his hopes high. “I don’t know for everybody else, but take it as a medical advice to avoid this one,” he replied. Jason couldn’t care less that he was perhaps not supposed to say that. When you know a place is dangerous, you don’t let others go there just because you promised not to tell where it was exactly. Especially not when that person was an acquaintance of yours you wish no harm to. Alright, it made the man sound worse than he was. But that still served his point. If he could prevent Nate from doing something he’d later regret, he would do so. It was not like he forbid him to find someone else to have fun with tonight.

He had a smile showing up at the corner of his lips as he got his refill. “No lab coat. Means you can drop the doctor, Nate. Or do I have to call you officer in return?” he asked, turning his gaze on the man while playing with his drink a bit. Jason was not seeing Nate nearly as much as he’d think it necessary. Just because the man could not feel his wounds didn’t mean they were not there. “Sorry if I blew up your fun here, but I wanted to stop the car from crashing before you got disappointed,” he told him before gulping down a good amount of his whiskey.

[Nathaniel Harver]

His eyes found their way back to the hot guy who had detoured over to a group of giggling girls. Sighing he wanted to get drunk even more so than before. He downed half of his new drink as soon as the waitress plopped it down on the table. "Next one forget the bubbly." The girl nodded glancing at the other man then walked off. Though the drink tasted better with the soda in it he didn't feel like having his liquor diluted anymore.

"Oh, it's medical now? Don't worry Doc I'm not going to clock you just because you might of kept me from getting laid." Nate took another drink slouching a little more into the seat. "Thinking of the wrong cop." Course his more colorful partner probably wouldn't be caught dead in a place like this. He'd find it a drag and not enough pretty asses to hit. Then again he did get laid whereas the quiet well behaved of the two hadn't gotten any in...and more of the drink disappeared.

His eyes narrowed at Jason's little quip thumb running over the rim of the glass. "I thought Doctor's wanted to be called doctor's all the time. Let everyone know how smart they are." The booze was finally making him fuzzy, more than just fuzzy actually. He was warmer, tingly, and he felt the world slide a fraction. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. You can stop trying you cover your behind. What's a educated man like you doing in a hole like this?" Nate sipped more of the liquid glaring at the table. It most definitely not a pick up line considering he wasn't an idiot he knew how straight the doctor was and that he would never jump the fence.

[Jason Campbell]

Jason let a tiny smirk play on his lips as Nate shrugged off already how the good doctor might have deprived him of his fun. He even chuckled silently at the mention he might have the wrong cop. They both had to deal with JJ Johnson though Nate more than Jason. And he was fine with that. He got enough calls like this from the man to patch him up, always with a semi-reasonable excuse for them. Like throwing himself in gravel to stop a student going haywire in town, scraping all the skin of his flank in the process. He had to give the man one credit over his partner however: he actually called to get fixed up when necessary.

He could tell the alcohol was taking its toll on Nate. Clearly he had more than one drink by the time Jason joined him and seeing how quickly he was from emptying this one... Then there was this parody of a pickup line he gave him. Now alcohol might have made him forget for a minute that the good doctor here was not swinging that way. But he also knew Nate enough to assume he would never go for that kind of line, not even in drunken mode. He actually appreciated the man. He was a nice contrast in opposition to his meathead of a partner. They could actually hold a conversation without swearing or a kinky reference to woman’s genitals been made every two minutes.

“If you want me to play the doctor, I’d say you’ve had enough of this in you already,” he told Nate, pointing at his glass. He then went back to his, shaking the golden liquid in it. “Then again, why else is a man going to such a place?” he added before taking down the rest of his glass.

[Nathaniel Harver]

The liquid in his glass seemed hypnotic for a moment and he was eager to get to the next glass. His goal was definitely to get thoroughly intoxicated especially after what just happened. Maybe he needed to move to a bigger city. He scoffed tossing back yet more of the lovely mixture. That would only mean noise, pollution, and besides cramming Bunny and Bam Bam into a studio apartment in a high raise apartment building sounded gruesome.

Glass lifted to his lips once more he paused as the medical professional indicated his drinking habits. Eyes narrowing he finished the glass with a glare then thunked it down with purpose "Exactly, you come to these places to drink. Either to get laid or to get numb. Since obviously the first reason isn't gonna happen might as well aim for the latter."

Course for Nate being numb was almost a constant seeing as he could never let his emotions get too intense. It could lead to his power releasing either waves of pain into his own body or toward others. Neither of which sounded all that great, then again getting completely intoxicated could do the same. But at least he'd be drunkenly tingly when the pain washed over him. "So, which reason you here for?"

[Jason Campbell]

Despite being heterosexual, Jason could see how troublesome it must be sometimes to be gay in a smaller town like Kalispell. He heard there was a gay bar or at least one that had the reputation to be filled with gay people. Nate should have thought going to this one instead if he wanted some company tonight. Then again, those clubs were generally filled with college students and if you get the stamina, you don’t have the experience. Jason assumed it all depended on what you wanted for the night. Not like he would know exactly what Nathaniel wanted. They never talked about their specific tastes, partner-wise. The only one who seemed to have no problem describing in details such taste was their common... acquaintance, JJ Johnson. Something, he bet, the two of them could live without.

“I’m not here to stop you from getting hammered,” Jason assured him. He would apologize again if Nate felt the good doctor ruined his chance to get laid but that would be useless. Not to add the cop did tell him to drop it. Jason did wonder, oh for a brief moment, how many drinks Nate had. But the most he’d do, unless he collapsed on him, would be to prevent the man from driving home, not from drinking further. He already blew up his chances to get some flesh he would not down his mood by talking cirrhosis.

“I would have thought you’d be tired to feel numb. Or is that a different kind of numbness?” he asked. Jason was aware of his ability and did not always agree with Nate’s tendency to suppress his neural system. Again, it was not the time to warn him of the terrible consequences it could have on his body and health. It wasn’t like Jason led by example. Working to the point of forgetting to eat or sleep and lose a lot of weight, regain it all once the work was done by nearly stuffing his face, using what remained of energy in him to heal people... No doubt his heart would eventually give up on him. And instead of being careful, here he was drinking, the others around making him feel like he was not drinking alone. Well, he no longer was. Now he was drinking with Nate.

It was his turn now to say what he was doing here. He lifted his glass. “Not much in a state for anything else anyway.” Jason would have added something else but there was a bit of a commotion at one side of the bar and as he turned his head to find out what caused it, he realized some people were getting worked up on what played on the television. Ah yeah, he forgot about it. Since it was only that, Jason sighed and brought his attention back to his close environment. “I decided to get a break from research a little, see real people instead of rats.”

[Nathaniel Harver]

"Good, because I'm going to." He nearly growled out the words as he took another drink. It wasn't that he was an alcoholic, and he didn't think he drank all that much only a few times a week. Compared to his partner that wasn't that much. Nate blinked and realized that he was using J.J for a standard for something. Not only was he using him as a standard, but he was saying that he wasn't nearly as bad as J.J simply because he didn't drink every night. He glanced down at the glass in his hand then back up to the doctor. Maybe he'd been spending too much time with the meat head lately.

Scooting the glass a little bit away he figured there was no need to get hammered just yet. Take things slow the night was still young and all that. After a few deep breaths he felt the tingling subside, and a small tic started in the corner of his left eye. If the doctor felt like talking then he could oblige. Not sure why he felt the need to talk to him. Not like Nate needed a healer, or a doctor's advice. Course he didn't think he needed anyone so that wasn't exactly surprising.

"Do you even know what it means to feel numb?" The off duty cop gave the doctor a look before staring off at the other patrons. He could go on a pity party right quite easily right about then. Instead he decided to just give the other man a rather bored stare just like he gave just about everyone. It wasn't like he didn't like the healer, honestly he hadn't spent that much time with him. People didn't tend to go to a doctor unless they needed to. Unlike J.J he didn't need a doctor everytime he got hurt. Okay, he probably needed to, but he just didn't see the point. As self destructive as that was he didn't really care.

He snorted taking a small sip the twitch in his eye jumping like a skittish squirrel. "You came to a bar to see real people instead of rats. Think about that for like two more seconds there, Doc." Real people were at the school, at coffee cafes, or at home with their families. This was just a hole for the rest of the lonely rats in the world to find some comfort from the cold.

[Jason Campbell]

Jason might not have any bad habits regarding alcohol, but he had others that weren’t good for his health. He tended to forget to eat and sleep while working. He would either go back to healthier habit because the work was done or because he was about to pass out. Then he seemed to recall food was good for you and took back all the weight he had lost. He knew it was not good for his body but he couldn’t help doing it anyway. Lately, he had an application on his phone warning him to sleep or eat but that could only send a little message to him, not force him to do it. It was so easy to simply close his phone and forget about it.

Jason had grown used to Nate’s behaviour. The man was the kind of person who believed they didn’t need a doctor or his advice. Even when their limbs were just about to fall out on their own, they would still find an excuse not to. In a way, he preferred that to being called all the time for any little wound you had. But it was not good and if Jason was one thing, it was a doctor. He would always check on people’s health and well-being first. Nate had a somewhat self-destructive nature and Jason felt the need to barge in, no matter how the man might dislike it.

He felt that need just now, as he told him on a very bored tone if he even knew what feeling numb could mean. “I suppose I don’t, at least not in the way you experience it. Doesn’t mean I can’t tell you need to be careful with that,” he answered. His years at medical school at least gave him the right to tell Nate that his lifestyle will cause him to die sooner than later. It didn’t give him the right to have Nate listen to him and work about it however. And he doubted the cop would do anything about it.

Jason paused after Nate replied to him, snorting at his comment. He chuckled as he understood what he meant. “My rats give me the feeling I’m a lonely drunkard when I drink around them though,” he replied. He was about to go back to his glass when he noticed Nate’s eye. He straightened up and took a closer look. “Are you suppressing any neural impulses right now?” he asked. If he did, his power had decided it was time to put the switch back on. Jason didn’t like that twitch.

[Nathaniel Harver]

If alcohol was the only bad habit in his life then he'd be a blessed man, but that was only one of the long list of "issues" that he endured. His pets ate better than he did but that was probably because he actually cared about his pets. One of the many issues he head with his lovely supression was that he didn't realize he was all that tired until well... Let's just say body meets floor and add a dash of convulsions to the dance mix. Usually he didn't let it get that bad considering his dogs loved to cuddle, which usually ended up with at least a nap.

His gaze narrowed at the warning grabbing the glass back up. "Nothing to worry about here, Doc. I'm perfectly peachy with a dash of fabulous." Voice as bland as a vanilla wafer he downed more of the liquid bliss. Rubbing the side of the glass with his thumb he glared off into the distance. "Like I've told you before I don't need your assistance in that area."

Every time the doctor reminded him to take care of himself and his gift he felt like a teenager getting scolded for not brushing his teeth. He actually cracked a smile however at the man's answer. Nice to have a cleaver response that didn't involve sex or curse words, and well to actually be cleaver. Then follow up though got the smile clean off his face the glare returning full force. "What? Why should you ask that?"

He was only suppressing: fatigue, pain from a cat scratches, and of course the roughly six glasses of alcohol coursing through his veins. Luckily he hadn't gotten shot lately or not that he remembered. Then again when you didn't feel pain if you didn't want to it was hard to remember how many wound one might have.

[Jason Campbell]

In a way, Jason felt like lecturing Nate was like the pot calling the kettle black. He didn’t have the best eating habit either. He often stayed up until he nearly crashed. His weight went up and down faster than a yoyo and he always minimized the effect of his power on himself. But the few grey strands in his hair when he was not even thirty-five were there to remind him. That and his heart sometimes getting tired. He should be more careful with the energy he gave to others, healing required life force out of him. But he often forgot to care. Hard to tell someone she’ll remain with nasty scars all over her body because he had to watch for his heart.

But Nate pushed the denial further. At least Jason knew he needed to watch out and tried for as long as he could remember to do so. Nate ignored it, plain and simple. “Actually, I’d say you’re the one who might require my assistance the most. You’re just the one who asked for it the least,” he replied. He gestured at the barman to fill his glass again. “Not that I mind you not calling me every time you get hurt. I’m really tempted to close the door in front of JJ’s face next time he shows up,” he added. He didn’t want to sound too patronizing here. But he was a doctor and as such he did feel the need to warn Nate. It was not just the alcohol. He had no problem with Nate getting wasted, as long as he didn’t drive after. He’d be on that road too and didn’t want to risk dying because of him.

Nate asked him why he brought up his power. So he didn’t feel it? “Because your eye is telling me you’re about to give us the Saint Vitus dance,” he answered, staring at him straight in the face. He didn’t want Nate to take this lightly. “You might want to watch out, I don’t want you to crash in here, even if there is a doctor in the room,” he told him. He doubted it was what Nate wished to happen either. Especially since it would mean a trip to the hospital. Jason won’t be able to prevent that. And that would mean paperwork added to his file. And more checkup required by his boss most certainly. Jason drank, if he could pull some strings for him there was a limit how much will be allowed to him under these circumstances.

[Nathaniel Harver]

"Like I've said before. I don't. Need. Your help." He felt like a petulant child but he seriously hate people pushing themselves on him. Since it have been years since a real 'instance ' of him basically exploding he didn't understand why people were so freaking worried. Okay, sure he's put his fair share of people in the hospital, but not nearly as many as J.J had. And there he was again comparing himself to his partner. He really needed to hang out with more people.

Nate let out a short snort at the door comment before finishing his glass. "You realize he's just trying to wear you down, and get in your pants right?" Glad that Jason had been to motion for a refill this time he shoved his empty glass toward the edge. If the waitress didn't get the hint he could just throw it at her. Wait, no that was a bad reaction. Yep, he definitely needed a calming influence in his life. Far too much King Viking time.

His hand went halfway up to his eye before he stopped and merely glared at the doctor. The truth was he hadn't felt it even if it was half spreading down the side of his face. Taking a deep breath he gripped his wrist feeling the built up energy flow down to his hands like liquid fire. It left his veins feeling like they'd been cut open rubbed with stinging nettles then sewn shut only to get doused with salt and alcohol. The little release of energy should do him for a little while even if it did hurt like a bitch. "I'm just dandy.No dancing tonight. Sorry, Doc."

Moving his hands to grab for the new glass of numbing poison he noticed a small burn mark on the table. His hand shook as he gripped the glass, but he ignored it like so many other things. "You keep bringing up my charming partner. You're starting to sound like the lady who protests too much there, Jase."

[Jason Campbell]

The problem for Nate right now was that Jason was divided between being simply a drinking buddy and acting professionally. He had the feeling he might need a doctor at some point with his eye acting crazy and this side of him was so quick at coming out for duty that Jason found it harder and harder to let it slip away. He was able to see the repercussions if he didn’t tone it down and even if he could not force Nate’s hand to change things, he felt the need to warn him, over and over if necessary. As long as he understood. Or one of them died.

“Probably,” he admitted as they discussed their common acquaintance. “You think he’d get the message but he just wants to be disappointed isn’t he?” he added. Did Nate ever sleep with JJ? Not that he’d judge the man, he supposed that JJ had the look you might want out of a sexual partner. He just had a hard time trying to figuring these two together. It wouldn’t be the first time Jason got it all wrong though.

He studied Nate’s expression as he seemed to let some of the pain get to him. Jason really wished he could bring Nate home or somewhere quieter and force him to stop suppressing his neural system, even if that meant having the guy screaming in pain for hours. At least he wouldn’t collapse on him and with all the medical equipment nearby, he would be able to provide him all the care he might need. But the man was stubborn. And Jason doubted bringing it up again would simply have him point out he didn’t need any help. Seriously, he was as stubborn as his brother. If he couldn’t have one listening to him, how could he expect the other to do any differently?

He smirked when he felt like Nate teased him. He even laughed at the thought he might ‘protest’ too much and what it could imply. “So I can’t talk of work, of common acquaintances, of my concern about your health. How do you find the weather?” he replied.

[Nathaniel Harver]

Shrugging Nate didn't understand his partner, didn't want to understand his partner, yet felt like he understood his partner completely. He needed more to drink, much more to drink. "I think he likes the chase sometimes. Since most of the people just leap into bed with him. Just as loose as his tongue it."

If the waitress didn't hurry up with his refill he was just going to go grab a bottle. It wasn't like the place was that enormously busy. Eyes narrowing at her when she stopped to flirt with the guy he'd been eyeing early. When finally came by to renew their drinks he had a thought to touch her. Spread some pain. Instead he waited for her to leave and grabbed his glass. After his little pain release beads of sweat dotted his brow and upper lip, but that was easily wiped away.

"I find it to be weathery." He sniped sipping the whiskey slowly before lowering the glass back to the table concentrating on not letting his hand shake. "You can talk about whatever you want to. Just don't expect me to be super duper excited bout it." Nate said super duper like an expert flamboyant man then instantly died back down to his bland normalcy.

Swirling the liquid he stared at the amber liquid intently watching the light dance across the surface. "So how come you're not out with some lady tonight?" He lifted his gaze slightly trying to ignore the pain still currently burning along his arms. Pain he was used to, and with a thought the pain stopped. Probably counter productive to shut it off, but it was annoying.