Part 23: Rehabilitation

-One week later-



...Dr. Stiles is leaving Caduceus!?
No, that's not it. But with the way he's been acting, a change of scenery will probably do him some good.
I suppose that makes sense. So then, he's still...
He's been seriously depressed lately. It's not like him at all. All that Healing Touch crap aside, I wouldn't even let him do normal operations like this. He looks more like a patient than a doctor.
I know what you mean... I heard he's been getting some counseling, at the recommendation of Dr. Clarks... But knowing what caused all this, it's probably still tough for him to deal with.
You know, most people don't know the first thing about the Healing Touch. IT's not like talking to some shrink is going to solve any--



Morning, Adel. You're looking much better. Hey... You heard about Dr. Stiles, right...?
...Yes. He's being transferred to another hospital, correct?
Y-Yeah...
I guess he'll be gone awhile, then? We'll just have to work even harder to make up for his absence. ...Anyway, if you'll excuse me. *leaves*
That's weird. I thought he'd take it harder than that...
Speaking of taking it hard...
...Yeah?
Has Angie heard about this yet?
I'd say she has. She just bolted into Hoffman's office a second ago.



"Are you prepared for the pain that this power will bring you?"
Excuse me...?
That's what I said to Derek when he used his Healing Touch for the first time. I thought he had found a way to cope with it... But it looks like the Healing Touch will forever be a double-edged sword to those who have it.
......



Yes, Ms. Thompson...?
I'm here to ask a favor concerning Dr. Stiles.
I had a feeling you'd come when you found out... You want to accompany him, don't you...?
How'd you--
...I'm sorry if I'm being unreasonable... But, I--
I understand how you must feel. But that's exactly why I can't approve your request. Permission denied, Ms. Thompson.
What...!?
Derek needs time to think about why he became a doctor, and to come to terms with what happened. He can't do that without some space.

And he can't really do that with someone constantly accusing him of being arrogant *winkwinknudgenudge*

B-But... Dr. Stiles is--
There's no need to be concerned. He's really not so weak. And it's not like we'll be throwing him into an unfamiliar environment without any support, either.
......
If you care about him, then you should watch over him from a distance. Just for now.
Y-Yes, sir... Then, please excuse me... *leaves*
......
I wonder if he'll really be able to get past this.
I'm not sure. But there's something else I said to him before. "No doctor can operate on himself..." That is our fatal flawy, and at the same time, a test of the friendships we have fostered...

This was said when Hoffman was infected in SO.

......