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Sharp eyes searched the wall of files that were neatly placed in open shelves. Find the section he needed he carefully placed the file in alphabetical order, doing his best to avoid any paper cuts on the sharp edges of the folders.
Voices from the receptionist drowned into the background of a few animals that sat in the waiting room, until a screaming cat entered the lobby. His curiosity peaked and he turned slightly to see who the owner of such a distressed patient was. A breath escaped his lungs, as his heart hammered inside his chest. Muscles moved on their own accord and he was taking the cat crate to take a better look at the distressed feline.
“Dr Zacharius, you’re more of a dog person anyways,” he stated. Out of the corner of cerulean eyes he could see large forearms straining against the white fabric of his coat. “’l’ll take care of this patient.”
A knowing smirk played on Miche’s lips as he watched Erwin. His deep voice was calming and confident, “You’ll be in the best hands with Dr. Smith.”
Erwin relaxed at Miche’s approval as he gestured down the hall. “Follow me please.”
He took the liberty of carrying the screaming cat down the hall with him, into his exam room. The veterinary assistant had already sterilized the room. Erwin sat the plastic crate on the metal counter. He twisted the latches to open up the top of the carrier and slowly pulled the top off doing his best to not startle the cat.
“Why is (cat’s name) visiting us today?”
He watched her nervously clench her fists as she stood across the table from him. A deep breath filled her chest as he watched her attempt to relax herself enough to discuss the issues. Erwin glanced down as he attempted to get to know his patient better, gently stroking the feline’s head, remaining calm for the furry pet.
“I was changing their litter box and noticed some blood,” she began, occasionally using her hands as she spoke. “I was concerned so I started to monitor them more closely, and there was blood in their urine.”
Erwin listened to her speak, letting the cat walk circles in his crate rubbing against his palm. He glanced down at the cat when it started to purr.
“Have they been straining when they urinate? Or crying out in pain?” He asked as he started taking the cat’s vitals.
Inquisitive eyes flickered up at her as often as he could. Stealing quick glances, doing his best to memorize every detail about her that he could. He wondered for a moment if he was being unprofessional, but the thought didn’t last long when she began speaking again.
“Yes, they’ve been struggling to urinate, and not much comes out when they do.”
“How long has this been going on?”
Sucking in her bottom lip, she gnawed on it with worry. “I’m not really sure, I’m sorry…”
He immediately saw the guilt flash in her eyes. A look he often recognized in owner’s who pet’s were more then just a family pet. Usually a best friend, and a companion. They always felt guilty for not noticing sooner.
“Hey, it’s alright.” He said softly, gently touching her shoulder. The brief touch felt like sparks were igniting under his skin, and he tried to push the feeling down. “Our pets can’t tell us when something is wrong. You did good bringing them in.”
Her shoulders seemed to relax as she nodded. “Thank you..”
Erwin gave her a soft smile as he continued to check over the cat. Feeling for any lumps, or any pain. When nothing out of the normal came up, he looked up at her.
“My guess is a UTI, but I would like to do a urinalysis to confirm. We’ll be right back.” He said, giving her a warm smile before closing up the cat carrier again. “Get comfortable, it may take a little while.” He gestured to the chair in the corner before leaving the room with the cat carrier.
What was he thinking, stealing Miche’s patient right from under his nose? All he had heard was a screaming cat, and the prettiest woman he’d ever seen.
“You’re smitten.” Miche commented from a stool that sat in front of their microscopes.
A small scoff was heard next to Miche. “It’s disgusting.” Levi stated from beside Miche. “The poor woman just wants her cat to get better, she doesn’t want to worry about some horny veterinarian trying to get in her pants.”
“You fell in love with Miche and he’s a horny veterinarian.” Erwin stated bluntly.
Levi’s face turned beet red as he sputtered for a reply, which solicited a wide grin from Miche who decided to pepper her cheek with kisses.
“Get off me you brute!” He growled, not using much energy to even try and push him off. A clear indicator that he enjoyed the kisses.
Erwin carried the crate to a room in the back and went to work doing his urine analysis, which came back inconclusive. He sighed, and carried the crate back, sitting it on the exam table. His heart was squeezing at the sight of her hopeful gaze.
“The urinalysis came back inconclusive,” he stated as he watched her visibly deflate. “However, that is quite common for felines.”
She seemed to relax a little as she listened to him, slowly nodded as she tried to process everything he said.
“What I want to do is a urine culture, some x-rays and blood work.” He explained, as her eyes widened.
“Okay, of course. I just want them to get better.” She said softly, as she looked up at him with big hopeful eyes.
The soft pour of her lips, and her big doe eyes had him exhaling a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. He was determined to bring this feline back to full health, and maybe get her number if he was smooth enough.
He blinked himself out of that thought and gave her a small smile. “I’ll bring them into the back again. It may be a while, would you like me to get you anything to drink? Some tea or coffee maybe?”
She slowly shook her head, “no thank you.”
He nodded, “of course. I’ll be back. Hopefully with some answers.”
Disappearing out the door with the cat crate he went to the back to start on all the tests. He found something extremely concerning in the x-rays and searched out Levi for a second opinion. He was only the best cat veterinarian, because Levi had chosen to pursue large animal medicine. The man was a human embodiment of a cat, and Erwin was surprised Levi tolerated the pack of dogs Miche brought home to him.
“I need your opinion on these.* He said holding the x-rays up in the light.
“Crystallization on the kidneys. Common for really bad UTI’s.” He said, hardly glancing at the chart.
“Start with a change of diet, it might save your patient surgery.” He suggested.
Erwin nodded, “glad to know we’re on the same page.”
“You’re just scared of blowing your chances with the owner. Get out of your own head Smith.”
Erwin let out a small laugh. Levi’s bluntness always came as a comfort. If Levi believed he had a chance then he really did. The man wasn’t known for sparing other’s feelings.
“Thank you Levi.” He said before grabbing the cat carrier and entering the exam room.
“Thank you so much for waiting, (cat’s name) did wonderful for all of my tests.” He said as he sat the carrier on the exam table.
Taking the x-rays out of his folder he put them up against a light up board to show her his discoveries. “If you take a look at this area you can see crystals on the kidneys. This is quite common for bad UTI’s.” He explained as his pen hovered over the x-ray. “I think the best course of action is to send you home with some medicine, and a specialized dietary food to see if that dissolves the crystals. If not, we will most likely need to do surgery.”
Erwin watched her nibble on her bottom lip in thought, processing everything he’d said. He could see the anxiety behind her eyes as she looked down at her beloved pet. “How much would surgery cost?”
Erwin swallowed, he hated delivering bad news, but in his line of work he seemed to deliver bad news on the daily.
“Between $3,000-$3,500.”
She sucked in a breath as he dropped the figure. “I guess there’s no choice then. Let’s try the medicine, and if that doesn’t work we’ll go from there.”
Erwin smiled, “a vet tech will be in shortly with the medicine, I’ll let reception know about the food and to schedule you for a month from now.”
After disappearing out of the room he watched Marco disappear into the room to go over medications with her, and he spoke to Sasha about setting up an appointment for next month.
Two weeks had passed and Erwin couldn’t get her out of his head. Whenever he closed his eyes his thoughts always wandered back to her. Two weeks had drug by, and he was itching to make his normal check in call. Getting up he did his best to casually wander over to reception.
“Going somewhere?” Miche smirked from where he was filling out patient forms.
Erwin was startled for half a moment. He clenched his jaw realizing Miche had been keeping track of the last time his patient came into the clinic. “Just doing some check up calls,” Erwin said, coyly.
Miche hummed, “I’m sure you are.”
Erwin rolled his eyes and grabbed the desk phone and pulled her number from the file. After dialing the number he waited for her to pick up.
“Hello?”
Her voice sounded like music to his ears and Erwin relaxed, a small smile pulling at his lips.
“Hi, this is Dr. Smith from Scouts Animal Hospital. I was calling to check up on (cat’s name).”
“Oh hi Dr.Smith. I haven’t seen any improvements. There’s still blood present in their urine, and they’ve started having accidents in the kitchen.”
Erwin listened to her as he leaned against the counter. “I think it would be best if you brought (cat’s name) in sooner.” He said softly. “I’m concerned that no improvements have been made, and I think surgery is our best option.”
A small sniffle could be heard on the other end of the line, and Erwin could tell she was attempting to collect herself. “Yes, of course I’ll bring them in right away.”
“Alright, I’ll see you soon. We’re going to get them better.” He said in an attempt to comfort her.
After they said their goodbyes he hung up the phone and went back to order Jean to get the room ready for surgery.
When she arrived at the clinic, Erwin checked her in and brought her back to the exam room to discuss the details of the surgery. He lifted the top of the crate off and got reacquainted with her pet.
“I’m going to open them up, and remove all the crystals. Hopefully once we do that they’ll be back to normal.” He said softly. “We will want to observe them for a couple days, and the healing process will be long.” He added.
“Okay, will you tell me how surgery goes?” She asked, scratching the feline’s ear. “I’d like to wait in the waiting room until I know how they are.”
“Of course, now I do need to put an IV in. You may want to step out of the room or look away if you’re not good with needles.”
“Needles don’t bother me,” she said quickly, and Erwin could sense a bit of determination in her voice.
Erwin nodded and got the IV ready, grabbing an electric razor to shave the area, before explaining to her how to hold the cat while he worked. Choosing the front leg he quickly shaved the area, keeping an eye on the struggling cat. (Y/N) seemed to have it under control as he grabbed the needle and catheter tube. After putting on gloves and properly sterilizing the area he searched for the vein and when he found it, he warned her that he was about to place the IV. As he pushed the needle in he rolled his thumb over the vein to stop the blood as he reached for the IV tube to finish setting up. Too focused on the job at hand he faintly heard an angered hiss followed by a pissed off meow, as he secured the catheter in place and he glanced up to see blood dripping from (Y/N)’s face.
“I’m so sorry, I should have had Jean hold them. Let me get you cleaned up.” He said, leading her over to the sink to sterilize the cat scratch. Erwin quickly changed his gloves out grabbing the rubbing alcohol from under the sink. “This is going to hurt, but it’s the best way to avoid infection.”
He poured some of the rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab and he gently went to work cleaning the wound. The small winces one her face had his heart shattering. If he’d been more careful this never would have happened.
“It’s okay, I promise.” She said softly, gently grabbing his wrist seeing the panic in his eyes. “I own a cat, this kind of stuff is normal you know?”
“Are you sure? I feel terrible…” Erwin said, slightly hanging his head in shame. He prided himself on being a professional, and in that moment he acted like a complete rookie.
“I’m sure, just get them better. Please?” She asked, gently squeezing his wrist again before letting go.
“Of course, they’ll get better. I promise.”
He gave her a warm smile before taking the cat in the back and getting them prepped for surgery. Surgery went smooth and Erwin had tucked the feline safely in a crate while it slept off the anesthesia, and made his way out to the waiting room. It was mostly empty accept for one late night emergency appointment, and he approached (Y/N).
“Surgery went good (cat’s name) is currently sleeping off the anesthesia.”
(Y/N) stood up, stretching a little. “Thank you, am I able to come in daily to check in on them?”
“Of course, would you like to see them before you go?”
She nodded in response and Erwin lead her into the back to the metal cage they were securely locked in. Erwin gave her some space to visit with her feline companion as he finished up on some paperwork.
She came to visit day after day. Erwin made sure to set aside time to speak with her, and update her on the cat’s progress. Eventually, Erwin had determined they were ready to finish healing at home. He felt bittersweet as he put the cat in it’s carrier. He’d miss seeing her face around the clinic everyday. Picking up the carrier he took the cat out to the lobby and pet her at the front desk.
“I’ll walk you out,” he said, gesturing for her to lead the way. Happy to carry the crate a little longer if it meant he could spend a few extra minutes in her presence.
“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
“It was my pleasure, they’ve been an excellent patient,” he smiled as he sat the crate in her passenger seat. “If anything comes up, call me on my cell.”
He handed her a scrap of paper, and she took it, glancing down at the neatly written number, his name penned out below it. In a burst of courage he decided to go for it.
“Whether it’s about the cat, or personal. I’d love to talk.” He said, offering her a warm smile before shutting the car door.
A small blush bloomed on her cheeks. “Thank you. I’ll make sure to call.”
After saying a quick goodbye Erwin watched her drive off and he went into the clinic, taking a seat in the break room. All he could do was hope that she’d reach out.
It had been five weeks, and (Y/N) clutched the scrap of paper in her hand. This was the perfect time to call him, she tried to reason with herself. She could update him on (cat’s name) recovery. They were back to normal, and she was grateful for everything Erwin had done for her. She was almost positive he was hitting on her in the parking lot. Taking a deep breath she dialed his number and waited for him to pick up.
Erwin heard his phone ringing and he walked over to his bedside table to answer it. He noticed it was an unknown number, and he hit accept.
“This is Erwin Smith.”
“Hi, this is (Y/N) (L/N) you were taking care of my cat (cat’s name). I just wanted you to know they’re back to normal, so thank you.”
Erwin smiled at the sound of her voice. He’d given up hope on her reaching. “That’s great! I’m so happy to hear they’re doing better.”
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everything you did for them.”
“It was my pleasure to help,” Erwin said softly. “If you need anything else don’t hesitate to reach out.”
After they said their goodbyes, Erwin sat his phone down; hoping she’d find another reason to call.