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"It'll be fine, baby girl. I promise."
Russel and Noodle sat in the waiting room of the doctor's office. Noodle looked up at him and nodded, but still looked worried. Today wasn't just an exam for her.
She was getting vaccine shots.
Since there were no known medical records for her Russel figured the best bet was to get her up to date on all her vaccines before she started school. Russel had told her many times that the doctor and nurses would be very nice and gentle, but the thought of something sharp poking her and then an unknown liquid being injected into her frightened her. Noodle clung to Russel's arm and hid her face against him. He reached over and ran a hand through her hair.
"I know. Doctors are scary, but it's necessary to keep you healthy. You wanna stay strong, right?"
Noodle nodded her head against him. She did want to be strong. She HAD to be strong to protect the others from all the zombies and to hold up all her guitars during practice and recording sessions.
"Then you gotta get these shots. It'll go real quick."
"Noodle. The doctor will see you now."
Russel and Noodle stood up, with Noodle clinging to Russel's hand, and they followed the assistant to the numbered room. When they entered they closed the door behind them and Noodle sat on the exam seat while Russel stood next to her. The assistant looked at her clipboard.
"Okay, Ms. Noodle, we're here for the flu and booster vaccine. Is that correct?"
"That's correct," Russel said
"Alright. Let me grab those real quick. I'll be right back." The assistant replied before heading out the door.
Noodle looked at Russel and made a small, whimpering sound. Russel placed a hand on top of her head.
"You're doing great, Noodle. You're going to do even better once they get those shots in you. It'll be over in a snap. But hey, you wanna know a secret," Russel leaned down close to Noodle's ear and whispered, "You take these shots and you'll be ten times braver than the knuckleheads back home. They're terrified of needles."
Noodle turned to stare at Russel and a grin appeared on her face. Russel knew her being better than the others would help.
There was a knock on the door before the assistant came in holding a tray with two vials, alcohol wipes, bandaids, and two needles. They pulled up a chair next to the exam seat and set the tray down on a table.
"Alright, you ready, Ms. Noodle? I'm going to give you your flu vaccine first."
Noodle nodded as the assistant opened an alcohol wipe, took the wipe out, and rubbed the top of Noodle's arm with it. Then they got a needle, stuck it in the vial, and prepared the shot. Once it was ready they took it out. Noodle squeezed her eyes shut.
"You're going to feel a slight pinch. One, two, three."
Then the assistant stuck the needle into Noodle's arm and injected the vaccine into her.
"Good job!" The assistant exclaimed while placing a band-aide on the spot, "Now we're going to do the same thing on the other arm for the booster."
Noodle opened her eyes and looked at Russel, who gave her a thumbs-up. The assistant repeats the process of prepping her arm and the other needle.
"Alright, same as before. Slight pinch. One, two, three."
And then Noodle was given the shot. Noodle smiled proudly as the assistant placed a bandaid on the spot. The assistant chuckled.
"Don't you look pleased with yourself. You should be, Ms. Noodle, for you're all up to date with your vaccines. You're free to go."
Noodle hopped down from the exam seat and followed Russel out of the exam room.
When Russel and Noodle got back to Kong Studio 2d and Murdoc chatting in the kitchen. When they saw Noodle bounding in they paused.
"Hey Noodle, how'd it go?" 2d inquired.
"Yeah, you're not some mutant now are you?" Murdoc snorted as he laughed.
Noodle smirked as she pointed at both of them and then at herself before she posed with her arms held up like a strong person's. 2d and Murdoc stared at her in confusion until Russel came in and laughed.
"She's saying she's braver than you two 'cause she got her shots. I told her you two are terrified of needles."
"I'm not terrified of them. I just don't like them is all." 2d said while tapping his fingertips together.
"I could refute what you told the girl, but I'll let her believe this fib. It's much better than what I'll say anyway." Murdoc said nonchalantly.
"Yeah man, we don't need to know the truth between you and needles, so thanks for that," Russel said.
Noodle skipped towards the counter and pointed at a box of cereal while looking back at Russel. He nodded his head. "I guess it's been some time since we've eaten and it looks like you two were in the middle of looking for something. I'll make us something to eat. How about some stir fry?"
Noodle let out an ecstatic cheer as she ran and hugged Russel. Stir fry was her favorite meal and she loved helping Russel prepare the ingredients. It became a whole affair as Russel had 2d prepped the rice, Noodle chopped the vegetables, and Murdoc stayed out of their way so he just chatted with them.
A normal day for a brave little girl.