Just {{Leon

[leon cortez]

(ooc. Perfect, lol.)

The words hit Leon square in the chest. He did not know anything about her, and as time passed, she seemed to become even more mysterious. Once second the girl seemed to be worried the next she looked almost as brave and confident as he was. She had turned on the spot, walked right back up to the witch behind the counter, and spoke up for herself. ’Hmm, what a change of events, at least now she’s going to go through with it, and I cant blame myself for pushing her into doing it.’

The witch behind the counter reacted quickly after Artemis’ statement. Leon received a quick glance and a smile. A smile that he had not seen until now. She was a lot prettier then he had first imagined. How could he have told though? She was hiding in her coat, she was extremely serious, and she seemed to be avoiding eye contact as much as possible. Leon couldn’t help but smile back.

The moment was interrupted though by the immediate and rash timing of the healer. He was equally surprised by the speediness of the hospitals service. The muggle hospitals were much more different, but in a way, much better organized. But who needed organization when they had magic. Normally, at least to his experience, people had to wait at least an hour before seeing a physician.

Leon watched as Artemis calm complexion returned to how he had first met her for several seconds. As she turned her head to beckon him forward he spoke out loud. ”Right, it seems that I really don’t know you at all.” Without further hesitation he stepped forward and followed Artemis and the healer. They made a left, and then a right, and then another left before they stood waiting for an elevator. ’Kinda weird to see elevators. You’d think us magic folks find a more convenient way to go up and down tall buildings.’ The elevator door soon opened. The three entered quickly, the healer pressing a button on the way in. He caught a quick glimpse of Artemis before the door opened once again.

As they exited the elevators, he noticed a change in atmosphere. The walls were not as blindingly white and decorative flowery wallpaper lined the border near the roof. They seemed a little bit more welcoming. Even the smell was different from the normal, sterilized air of many hospitals. The only unwelcoming thing was the temperature. It seemed to drop drastically, and even he was cold. It was strange for him because he was not someone to be bothered by a change of temperature.

After several further steps down the hallway, they stopped at a door. Leon held his breath as they were led inside…

(ooc. Hope it was good. >.<)

[artemisackart]

((Floral wall paper? *gag* OK, a lot is going to happen in this post 'cos I can't imagine leon would have a terrible amount to do.))

Leon's commed didn't make Artemis laugh, or even chuckle. If anything her smile dropped a little. This is because it sort of made her think. She was sure as Hell that Leon had no idea who she was, but then again, she didn't know much better herself. After all, who was 'Artemis Ackart' even supposed to be? As far as Anya had been concerned Artemis was her hiding spot, she wasn't supposed to be in this situation. But Artemis maintained a bit of a happy face, just for show.

Then Artemis followed teh healer silently, a subdued feeling sort of taking over. She didn't make any attempt at conversation as the three began their long and treterous journey down a couple of hallways and up an elevator. Artemis was looking sub-consciencly for some form of comfort and wasn't quite ready to take it from Leon. She'd only just met the man for god's sake. One thing was for sure though, she wouldn't find comfort in these flowery walls.

Artemis definately noticed the change in atmosphere though. The first thing she noticed was the change in teperature as they stepped out of the warm elevator. It was cold. Real cold, especially to the already cold Artemis. She immideately shivered and pulled her heavy cloak around her tighter. The second thing she noticed was the walls. I don't think I even need to elaborate. It was a simple message saying 'we're trying way to hard to make you happy.' At least, that's the way Artemis saw it.

Though she grew more and more uncertain (yes the flowers definately put her off) Artemis still continued to follow along. She was determined to prove both herself and Leon wrong. She wanted to prove that she wasn't a cowered, but moreso that she was one hundred percent ok. Ya right. Moving on. When they finally reached the office Artemis was beckoned by the healer to sit on a bed/table thing while Leon was offered a seat. Artemis did as instructed and prepared for the worst.

She folded her hands in her lap and watched as the man in the lab coat set himself up searching absently for pens and papers that he would use. As seconds passed Artemis struggled to keep her breath smooth and even, but it wasn't all that noticable. She'd experienced these spells more often than not and had gotten used to the idea and the feeling of it all. By the time the Healer was ready Artemis was sitting slumped and impatient.

"Ok" the healer said, feeling the woman's hard glare on him. "I'm Dr. Dollard and I'm just giong to start out asking a few questions and we'll see what to do from there."

"Look Sherlock" said Artemis in a hoarse and scratchy voice, and clearly more uncomfortable than irritated, "Let's just finish this quickly."

Dollard nodded, ready to obey the woman's wishes. He didn't want to be around her any more than she did him. That in mind her hastily started with the first question "What are your symtoms?"

"My throat started hurting first. Then my chest." She coughed a few times before continuing her list in a very cautious manner. "I've become very tired-all the time. Sometimes I can't breathe quite right and I've begun to cough up blood." Artemis' hands moved restlessly against each other. Just listening to herself bluntly list everything she'd been feeling over the last couple months was a little scary. It sounded way worse when she said it like that.

Dollard nodded and wrote something down on the paper. He seemed to frown at all of this and was slowly beginning to figure out what might be wrong with this woman. There was still more to be done however and with that in mind the man put on his stethescope and gently pressed it to Artemis' lower back. "Take a deep breath for me"

Artemis did as she was told. She breathed in slowly, eyes wandering aimlessly around the blank room, never looking directly Leon. She breathed out and repeated the first step, but the second step didn't come as easily. She found it difficult to get her breath out and soon she was desperately gasping for air.

"Take it easy" the healer soothed.

Artemis tried but found it increasingly difficult to breathe. Her only way out was to cough and in no time she was a gasping, coughing mess. She hung her head and haunched her back. She could feel as the healer tried to resume her regular breathing patterns.

When the situation was out of his hands Dollard called down on to the receptionest for help. He knew this was beyond magic and was prepared to send the woman to a muggle hospital where she could be treated properly for whatever obviously non-magical disease it was. Not thirty seconds after Dollard had made the demand two other healers entered the office with a gurny. Artemis was helped onto the bed through a flurry of coughs and ushered out of the room. Outside the door Dollard explained the situation and ordered that the woman be flooed to the closest muggle medical center.

With that out of his hands Dollard re-entered the office where the man who'd come in with Artemis was still waiting. Dollard scribbled the name of the hospital where Artemis would be transfered to and held it out to Leon. Wheather a brother, husband or just a friend he figured he came this far with the woman he still deserved to know what was going on.

"I can't tell you exactly what's wrong, but I'd wait for tomorrow to find out if I were you." The man was certain that Artemis wouldn't be in and out of the place after one night.

[leon cortez]

"I can't tell you exactly what's wrong, but I'd wait for tomorrow to find out if I were you." The man was certain that Artemis wouldn't be in and out of the place after one night.

Leon took the note form the healer’s hand. "I understand you cant tell me what’s wrong, but its a good thing your not me. Thanks for nothing doc." Leon crumbled the note in hand and walked out the hospital. He had been in this place for much longer then he wanted to be, and his guess from the start was correct. Her problem was in fact untreatable by magic. Something in the back of Leon's mind turned on. He now felt that their was a chance Artemis must of had some sort of history in the muggle world, or with muggle things. How they were transporting her to this hospital, he was not sure, but he knew a fast way of getting there.

Leon was off to the shadiest, most feared pub in town. This place was where the highly wanted criminals of the wizarding world hid. Lucky for him, he had a deal cut out with the owner. He was allowed to enter and leave the pub whenever he wanted, as long as he swore to never invade the pub. Leon of course kept to his promise, and he was very happy he had. He entered the pub as quietly as he could. Still, he attracted the eyes of many onlookers. Without a word he walked straight to the bar and called over the bar tender. ”I need to get to the other side.” He spoke in a whisper.

The bar tenders eyes narrowed like a snake as he made a gesture to move to the end of the bar. ”Now! Are you kidding me? What’s going on?”

”That’s not what’s important here. Remember our deal, no questions.” In disapproval the man nodded his head. He led him through a door. The mode of transportation was a fire place with a chimney. When Leon first learned of the magical world, this to him was the strangest thing he ever witnessed. But it was fast, he gave it that.”I might come back through here. Keep it opened.” Another look of disgust came form the bar tender. He held a handful of powder before he was off. He appeared at the other end. He was a bit disoriented, but he dusted himself off and walked out the door. It just so happened that the hospital was only a few blocks away. He began his run towards the hospital.

(ooc. I didn’t really know what to post, so for now ill just say im looking for the hospital, once I know whats going on in the hospital, ill make my entrance.)

[artemisackart]

When Artemis reached the hospital the coughing was beginning to calm a bit. She was frusterated with the way things had just gone and was not satisfiyed. She didn't want to be in this position and figured it would have been easier to just walk out. But had it been the right hting to do? Probably. She just wished that things had gone her way this time, although she knew before hand that they probably wouldn't.

But now for the real question. What had she gotten out of this? Nothing yet. She still didn't know what her problem was and she didn't know how to get rid of it. As she rolled through the doors of the hospital she had no idea where Leon was or what he was doing. She wanted to be with him, but wasn't sure when she'd see him again. Sure, they'd only just met but she liked the guy, and who could be satisfyed with a meeting as short as that with someone as...charming as that?

But Artemis had to stop thinking. There was to much going on now. She was given a bed in the ER for now. Nurses were beginning to tend to her, removing her from her heavy woolen cloak and sticking her with needles and such. One touch of her cold temperature and there was an IV in her arm with a blood transfusion. One listen to her un-steady heart beat and un-eaven breathing there was a tube taped under her nose giving her oxygen and wires on her chest attatched to a moniter making sure she was still alive.

The nurse seemed like she'd rather be anywhere but here as she began to jot something down on a paper attatched to a clipboard. So there Artemis lay, like a fish out of water. She was cold in her long black pants and dark red t-shirt, even as the after noon sun shone through the window. She couldn't put her sweater back on just in case she distrubed the stuff sticking out of her skin. This is definately not the way she'd wanted her day to turn out. She sighed closing her eyes and waiting for the rest of the world to end.

[leon cortez]

(Do you want to spice things up in the thread with the cops? lol. We could wait until after you get some treatment or something. At least some prescription for medicine that will help until, idk you can have surgury or something. lol.)

The run to the hospital was short, and he may have even arrived only a few minutes ahead of Artemis. Muggle hospitals were even more terrifying to him then St. Mungo's. There were a million different entrances. Each one in which had a police officer or security guard on duty. If his guess was correct, she was transferred here as a priority one or two medical patient. This would most definitely mean she entered through emergency. Leon ran around the building until he could see the large, bright red sign. Two ambulances were parked outside, one marked as a truck from a local station, the other was unidentifiable. 'That’s probably the truck she came here in.'

Leon entered the building. A security guard sat on a stool, staring at him. "Good after noon, a friend of mine just went in, a young lady." The man nodded his head and pointed to a sign. "You'll find her in the red section." Leon's attention moved to the sign. It seemed much more complex then the one at St. Mungos. He passed his finger down the sign. His finger stopped at emergency before reading down the list... 'Triage...yellow is behavioral health, green's trauma, blue's medical....red....respiratory.' Locating it on the map he turned and walked down the hall. He read the colors in his head as he passed each section.

The red section was second to last. A long hallway showed rows of rooms, closed doors and numbers 31-42; Odd numbers on the right, even numbers on the left. He looked into any open door as he continued down this hall. It wasn’t until he reached the last door that he found Artemis. She was lying down, eyes closed. A nurse was questioning her about anything and everything that could have been involved with the respiratory system. His eye caught a person moving out of his peripheral. He turned away from the door before Artemis would know he was there. If his eyes were not deceiving him, someone had definitely been spying from around the corner.

Leon walked in the direction and passed the spot were the figure would be. He pretended to pay no attention as he walked around another corner. ’Cops, a group of them to be exact. The one peeping around the corner must just be some curious person hearing my footsteps.’ These cops did happen to be hanging out in the behavioral health section. These people often came in causing problems until they were restrained. It would make sense, but Leon was a paranoid person. He was an investigator himself and found that he had to be alert twenty four seven just to stay alive at times.

Leon walked in a big circle to make his way back to Artemis’ room. The nurse was still inside asking away. He figured it would be best to wait for her to finish. Artemis seemed safe for now, so he felt that there was no immediate need to jump in.

[artemisackart]

((O.o Sure. I'm up for anything.))

To tell the truth Artemis was becomming slightly annoyed with the nurse. She just wouldn't shut up. You'd think that there were only so many possibilities of what could have caused whatever it was the woman was suffering from, but God forbid that nurse to run out of questions. With her eyes still closed Artemis tried real hard to block her out, but still managed to answer near every question with an un enthusiastic "No". But not every question was like that. The word plutoniom rang a bell.

She'd only been barely listening but when she heard the word Artemis' eyes shot open and all of a sudden she was listening. "What did you say?" When the nurse repeated her question Artemis got a little un comfortable. Plutonium was what they used in the armies for the really big killing machines. She was among muggles now, who knew who was out there, maybe even looking for Anya Agar. Perhaps she was over thinking this, but it was always better safe than sorry.

Artemis clutched the neatly folded sheets on the bed that she lay on top of and sat up a little to stare the other woman down. "Don't you have anything better to do?" she asked. The nurse looked offended, but didn't have time to answer when the doctor came in. He walked towards Artemis wearing something along the lines of a smile and began looking over things to make sure that she wasn't going to die in the next twenty four hours. Upon doing this he muttered something to the nurse who didn't hesitate to stick another IV in Artemis' arm attatched to a bag of fluids, with a big smile on. She knew it annoyed Artemis.

The doctor pulled up a seat beside the bed and Artemis stared at the ceiling. She had a bad feeling. "I'm going to make this simple ma'am because I expect you're going to be one to argue. Please just listen and you can vent all you want later. He didn't even pause. He just went right along with it hoping to avoid an argument. "I've taking a look at the x-rays he showed Artemis the pictures from the scan that she did upon entering the hospital. And considered the symptoms. Your lungs, they're cancerous. Now, here's the scoop, I'm not sure we can operate because it appears that you've waited far to long to be treated. The damage is very great and we might just have to take things a little slower, in which case probably means chemothearapy amungst other treatments. The one thing we know for certain is that you are going to be staying here with us until your condition is more stable." The doctor said nothing more as Artemis glared at him, egging him on to admit it was all just a big mistake, but instead he left, mumbling something else to the nurse as she walked out with him, leaving Artemis to her thoughts before she got they gave her an officail room to stay in.

All of this frusterated Artemis. She'd always been independant. She could take care of herself and now she would suddenly be cooped up in a room all day until some stupid son of a bitch considered her 'stable.' "Goddamn it!" she said very loudly, still clutching the sheets. This wasn't even her world. Anya was a pure blood for god's sake she didn't seek help from muggles!

Still resisting the temptation lead on by the frusteration to cry, Artemis decided she was getting out of her once and for all. Starting by pulling out the tube from under her nose. It suddenly got exceedingly harder to breathe, but she was going to get out. This was not her place..

[leon cortez]

The nurse seemed to eventually finish off her line of questions when both the doctor and her walked out. During the time he was waiting, it was as if a million things were happening all at once. While paying attention to the doctors diagnosis, he noticed that the cops waiting near by were still looking around the corner towards the room. The behavior he felt was normal at first, was beginning to scare him. Did they somehow know that Artemis and himself weren't muggle born. Did they know something he didn't know about Artemis? The risk for sticking around seemed to increase, but the doctors diagnosis wasn't good news either. Artemis definately needed treatment, but for now, if need be, they could get away and they could find some magical form of treatment.

He heard Artemis scream 'Goddamm it.' Without wasting any more time, Leon entered the room. She had just pulled off her nasal canula. She appeared to be in a state of anxiety. She wanted out, and it was written all over her face. "Hey, got here just in time huh? What do you want to do?" He felt that right now was probably not the best time to bring up the suspicious cops outside. This would only add the current dilemna he was sure Artemis was already dreading about . "You must hate me for all this." He sat down at the edge of her bed, waiting to see what she would decide to do.

(ooc. Short post and its taken me forever. Sorry. Figured there isnt much I can do or say in the current situation.)