I stormed off down the hall, unaware of where I was even going, more preoccupied with biting back the compulsive urge to march right back into that office and yell at Tony some more.

What does he know of loss? Nothing.

He truly didn't. He was never around when I was little, and he was not there when my parents died. He did not know them, or me. He could not even be bothered to be there for their funeral.

He left me to go through burying my beloved parents alone.

The simple phone call I had received on the day would never suffice. If he really cared he would have been there.

My thoughts were interrupted when I ran right into somebody, hitting them hard enough I staggered back, but the human wall in front of me didn't budge an inch.

"Would you- Anastasia?"

My eyes stared into those of Dr. Short and my stomach dropped. He and Dr. Martin stood with Jayce, watching me in open perplexity.

Why? Why me? Why now?

"Are you alright, Anastasia?" Dr. Short asked, his expression immediatly shifting from puzzlement to concern.

I was concerned myself, so much so that my mouth was trying to form words but I honestly did not even know how to answer him.

He had never adressed me before, let alone by my name (I did not think he even knew my name to be perfectly honest).

"I- I am fine." I finally forced out, only when my eyes shifted from him to Jayce, who looked bored and utterly disconnected from the entire situation.

Jayce seemed bored and otherwise unphased by everything...

He seriously needed to seek out help for that.

Dr. Short narrowed his eyes in an unconvinced, suspicious mannor, and shifted so he was fully facing me while blocking my view of Jayce. "You do not look fine, Anastasia. If something is wrong you need to tell me."

Again with my name. Every time he said it I got a little more uncomfortable... and he was suddenly saying it a lot.

Something about the way he moved to place himself between Jayce and I did not sit right with me and the look mirrored in his eyes held something knowing. Like he knew...

But what could he possibly know?

I didn't know, but he clearly knew something.

"Well I am fine."I snapped right back at him. My suspicions were making me more defensive than I already had been.

He didn't know me, who was he to accuse me of being unwell? Further more, what did he care either way? Until two minutes ago he could not have been bothered to so much as look at me, and now he thought he had the right to question my wellbeing?

Before he could say anything else I pivoted on my heels and took off down the hall.

Seconds ticked by and I was beginning to think that the end of it, I had escaped... Until my ears pricked at the sound of footsteps following close behind me.

Great! Would anyone like to guess who that could possibly be?

I quickened my pace, fighting the urge to break into an all out run for the safety of my room. My door was in sight. Just a few more steps... I could make it-"

"Anastasia, please wait."

I whipped around and nearly cursed, Dr. Short stood a few paces behind me, his already dark blue eyes deepened to a color I couldn't decipher.

"Why are you following me?" I bit out. I would probably regret the hostility later, but I really wanted nothing more than to be away from the man, in my own room so I could cry in peace.

His hands fiddled with the hem of his lab coat, it was the first time I had ever seen the man look uncomfortable about anything.

"Clearly you are not alright. If you do not want to tell me that's fine, I just wanted to offer my assistance. If you would like to talk about what is troubling you..."

Oh, so now he wants to talk. Where was this urgency to speak when I actually cared to get to know him?

I battled with the urge to throw his offer right back in his face and remained calm. "Thank you, but I am fine."

He looked like he wanted to argue, and I was already bracing myself for the inevtiable. Let him just try it.

Finally, after an extended silence, he nodded once. "Very well."

Thank god.

Dr. Short turned to go, but stopped halfway and looked back to me. His eyes met mine and the intensity with which he looked at me left no room for me to doubt whatever he was about to say next.

"I understand if you refuse, but I will say it anyway. If you ever need to talk or you merely want someone to listen, I am right here, Anastasia. I may not understand what you are going through, but I want to help you nonetheless and I will listen without judgement. Never think you have to be alone."

He turned and left before I could say anything, which was appreciated because I had no idea what to say anyway.

Who knew Dr. Short could be so caring? His words had been so sincere and disarming, it nearly made me want to...