we could be better than so many

[Jason Campbell]

Jason was quiet as he moved around Ethan Parks to hold his arm, one hand on his shoulder and the other on the elbow. “Raise your arm,” he asked him. He was trying to sense if there was any stiffness in the muscles. Jason knew of Ethan’s power and the side-effects it had on the man’s body. What he didn't tell Ethan however was that he might not be as concerned about said side-effects the same way he was with anyone else. It was not so much the man though as the power itself and what it could cause to him. It reminded the poor doctor so much of what his mother had endured and brought some regrets and questions as to whether he could have saved her back then or not, that had him work so hard on Ethan’s case. People so often thought that having a power was cool. They had no idea what that really meant. How it could just kill you in the end.

“How has the pain been? Are you taking the supplements?” He figured Ethan was. At least if he was not a masochist who wanted his body to die on him before its time. He forced the shoulder to move, slowly, then the elbow, testing how it was going, if he sensed any resistance. He had done the same before with the other arm. He was trying to remain professional as he did that, not to be carried away by his thoughts and the similarities with what his mother suffered from. SPRITE had hit Jason and he had to relearn how to control his power. It was still a little difficult at times and he knew that, should he keep comparing the two of them, he might just let his power heal Ethan without being able to stop it. The man might not be against it, but Jason had no idea the effect it would have on himself.

“Alright,” he said softly as he let go of the man’s arm. He scribbled a few notes in his files. He remained silent as he did that, figuring that if there was more, Ethan might say it. If not, Jason would just resume the examination.

[Ethan Parks]

Ethan had always been careful with using his abilities. He knew the side effects and he knew his limitations. But he still worried about what could happen in the long run. He was not one of the many people who think having abilities was cool. It had ruined his childhood and it didn't look like it was backing down any time soon. Sure he now had a bit more control over it but he would probably jump at the chance to have it removed permanently if he were given the opportunity.

Having Jason Campbell as his doctor was a godsend. The doctor knew a lot more about his side effects than he did and he always had a good word to say to him about it. If Dr. Campbell said he was okay, Ethan believed he was okay.

However, the pain he had been feeling was a little worrying. He knew the training he had been undergoing in his new job was strenuous and he thought it would be a good addition to giving him control over his abilities but the pain coincidentally started around the time he accidentally got thrown into a brick wall. Nothing was broken but the pain was excruciating. It subsisted even after a week of therapy and all Ethan could think was that the early on set arthritis had finally made good on it's promise.

"The pain's been manageable but when it comes...it comes." Ethan let the doctor move his arm this way and that, nodding in response to being asked about his supplements. "Have you done any research on early on set arthritis, Dr. Campbell?" He asked after a long silence.