Flying High - Tagged

[Steven Hudson]

Steven was far from comfortable as he laughed shaking his head, if there was one thing Isla was good at it was teasing. “I don’t scare people... just terrify them.” He stated though over the years he had become accustomed to scaring people simply because they never stayed around long enough. “Super scary with no clothes... just like Batman except without the bat mobile.”

He wanted to make some joke about it to her but then the entire idea of the day was to keep her relaxed and not flustered or embarrassed as he kept his mouth shut. “Who me? Fart? Never, I mean you on the other hand... phew.” He called out as she stepped into the shop and he followed. A promise was a promise he thought despite the fact he would take a bad day at work over having to take his clothes off in front of strangers and then a massage.

Steven felt like a deer in the headlights the minute he saw the ladies come to escort them to their rooms. He tried to smile and act like it was a walk in the part as he felt Isla kiss him on the cheek. “You too, no running off with the massage therapist either.” He said wanting to shout a warning about making sure his sister was alright. Nope this was happening he thought as he followed his therapist through wondering if it was too late to just sit outside and pretend he had one.

Isla Hudson,

[Isla Hudson]

She had to give her brother credit, Isla thought, that he was willing to go along with all of this just for her. Not that there was anything so horrible. Non-traditional, maybe,but then, he might discover that things like a massage were actually nice!

Having done this before, Isla quickly settled in and relaxed, letting herself enjoy the pampering, nearly falling asleep under the work of the massage therapist. And she was reluctant to move after it was over, but...well, it was over!

Meeting up with Steven again, she smiled. "How was it? You know, the worst part is that you can't just curl up and go to sleep afterwards!" She looked at him critically. "At least you don't look worse for the wear!"

Steven Hudson

[Steven Hudson]

Steven had always been an on the go sort of person, taking time for himself was well not what he did and when he did he usually got bored and went in search of something to do. Being terrified while trying to figure out why people got massages was a new experience as he made the fastest change in the western world.

He had practically hidden himself under a towel until he started to relax and enjoy it which was a new experience. He felt asleep half way through and according to the therapist started snoring though he would swear to the back teeth that never happened as he walked out feeling about then times lighter and happier too.

It felt like the stress had been left and now there was a new more relaxed Steven as he grinned at Isla a moment before he shrugged. “It was okay I guess and no, I came out the other side alive... who knew.” He said trying not to look too happy, “Serious how do you even sleep through that, all that poking and prodding.” He stated before he grinned again. “Yeah I think they should have beds here too just in case. How was yours?” He asked her.

Isla Hudson,

[Isla Hudson]

"It was wonderful," Isla told him with a laugh, then nudged him in the ribs, "and I'd say you are a brat, but you've paid for everything so far, so that counts for something!"

Then she shook her head slowly. "I'm just sorry that you haven't enjoyed yourself." She sighed and shrugged. "I guess once I pass my boards I'll be able to afford this stuff myself you we don't have to do this together any more." Shaking her head, she looked sad. "You can have your time to yourself."

Shoulders slumped in mock-defeat, she shuffled to the car and got in, then slumped in the passenger seat. "We can just go home now..."

Steven Hudson

[Steven Hudson]

Steven chuckled when she went to call him a brat, yes he could be that but then again at least paying counted for something. “Glad you enjoyed and sure I’m a brat but you love me for it still right?” He asked grinning and doing his best cute look.

Then it happened, what she was going to do this on her own now? Oh no way not when it was this good he thought as he tried to figure out a way to going again. Steven glanced at her when her shoulders slumped and she shuffled to the car. Why did he have to go and ruin it he thought, he could have told her the truth and lived with it but no he had to be all ‘no not my thing’.

He sighed as he slumped onto the drivers seat and turned to face Isla hearing her ask to go home. “You don’t get out of it that easy; once you pass your boards I’m still doing all of this with you.” He stated firmly as his hands gripped the steering wheel for a moment. “Anyway I love spending time with you and that way I know what’s going on with you so you can’t just wriggle out of that one.” He said wondering what his options were.

One, he upset his sister took her home and likely answered to his other sister once everyone started talking. Two try and fix it and admit he enjoyed it, three just throw himself under the car and have Isla drive over him. “We can go home if you want but just for your information and I swear if you tell Emily I’m officially grounding you for a year.” Steven grinned at her for a moment; he was grounding his adult sister like that was ever going to work. “Hypothetically I enjoyed it, might have fallen asleep and needed poked awake but other than that it was great.” He stated trying to see if that made a difference, at least he was being honest he thought.

Isla Hudson,

[Isla Hudson]

"I knew it!" Breaking into a huge grin, Isla reached across the seat and grabbed her brother around the neck, giving him a big hug. "And you're the bestest brother ever! Well, unless you ground me."

Then she smile faded as she leaned back and looked at him. "You know I was teasing, right?" she confessed. As much as it had been fun, she hated for him to think that he'd upset her. "You're just too sensitive!"

She smiled again then, and patted his shoulder. "We can do anything you want, even something you want to do, until you get too old...like when you're thirty...

She gave him a sweet smile. "So, what now, dear brother?"

Steven Hudson

[Steven Hudson]

Steven relaxed seeing her huge grin, thank the lord he thought at least he had managed to avoid ruining the entire day. Then again it was him so really he would never put it past himself to put his foot in things. Steven hugged Isla back as he laughed. “Fine fine no grounding okay but bestest brother is awesome.” He stated grinning.

“Yeah I know that now.” He said as he nudged her light, “You had me going for a second though, almost believed you.” Steven rolled his eyes as he sighed hearing the sensitive comment, yes when it came to family he was a little sensitive and thinking he had upset her. Well she had won that one fair and square.

“Woah wait a minute, thirty isn’t old. I’m 37 and don’t you worry I’ll be doing things until I’m 100. Besides I age like a good wine and I’m awesome mostly.” He stated firmly, if he lived that long sure but still the point was there. “Well that all depends on you, so what relaxes you after a massage? Can’t let you go back to those books just yet or I wouldn’t be doing my job as a big brother.” Steven said though what did you do after a massage. “Fancy some shopping?” He asked her not entirely sure what they were going to look for but then again it was shopping, you knew it when you saw it.

Isla Hudson,

[Isla Hudson]

"Shopping?" Looking over at him, she raised an eyebrow, although she wasn't going to turn him down. He'd never been one much for shopping, so she was a bit surprised, but she did appreciate the 'sacrifice' he was making on her behalf.

"Man, I would have thought that was more scary than a zip line!" Laughing, she shrugged, then decided to give him a sort of out. "Well, we could look at cars so I have an idea of what I'm looking at as far a payments and stuff once I'm ready to turn in old Betsy!"

She could limp the car along for a while yet, and public transportation was pretty efficient, at least in the core of Chicago and she had no need to go to the seedier parts anyway. "And once I get a job at the hospital, that's just a little walk, and that will help me keep my svelte figure!"

Steven Hudson

[Steven Hudson]

Steven nodded as he smiled, he usually would have run away at the prospect but then having almost upset her well he was willing to sacrifice time to go shopping. After all if half the planet did it then there had to be something good happening.

“Oh it is trust me but hey you did zip line so only fair I face my fear. Just don’t go all Devil wears Prada on me please. I need to eat next week.” He teased grinning at her as he nodded again. “Sure we can go look at cars, that’s my kind of shopping and besides you don’t need to worry about payments or anything. As long as it’s not a Ferrari it’s covered alright.” He stated not wanting her to feel like he was landing her with a car that was going to sink her with payments for it.

Steven grinned for a moment when she spoke about walking and the job at the hospital. “No doubt about that but you don’t need to do anything for your figure and if you drive at least I know you’re there safe. Unless you want me to turn up outside with the ambulance and give you door to door service?” He asked her grinning figuring if he was there to then he could do if he was allowed.

Isla Hudson,

[Isla Hudson]

"Oh, god, please no!" Isla laughed. "Knowing you, you'd break out the restraints and have the neighbors talking!"

She actually could see him coming by in the ambulance and hitting the air-horn to summon her, waking up everyone in the building! "Then they'd complain," she mused, "and I'd be evicted and have to move in with you."

Smiling sweetly at him, she batted her eyes. "All the more reason to be sure I have a good ride. But...speaking of ambulance, how is your new partner working out? They run screaming yet?"

It was no secret that Steven had a hard time keeping his partners, although she couldn't fathom why, he really was a nice guy, thoughtful and funny...

Steven Hudson,

[Steven Hudson]

Steven grinned and nodded profusely, “Oh hell yes, full restraints and an IV of coffee and vitamins just in case you sleep in. I’d be an absolute boy scout in getting you to work on time, restraints and all because I can’t have you falling out the back. Insurance would have a field day.” He said thoughtfully before he grinned at her, well maybe he would do that on her first day just because he could but then he hardly wanted to put her off her work.

“Now you’re making this plan sound better and better, evicted, moving back home... what more could I want? I might need to try this with Emily too and see how her neighbours like it. That way everyone’s home and I don’t need to worry.” He said optimistically as if that was the upside of everything though despite the idea he was perhaps considering it as an option.

Steven rolled his eyes, “Yeah yeah, I know the look.” He said knowing he could hardly refuse her when she smiled so sweetly. “We will get you the best car and my new partner; nope surprisingly she’s still my partner. I must be losing my touch, need to start my Steven crazy special and see how things go.” He stated thoughtfully before he grinned at her. “She’s great actually, funny and smart and good at the job. I’m glad she’s staying around but I’ve no idea why they leave so quickly. Am I really that bad? Sure my new partner and I didn’t exactly get off to the best first shift but she’s still here so must have done something good.” He explained knowing that an explosion, IA and a whole load of issues were far from the perfect first shift.

Isla Hudson,

[Isla Hudson]

Looking over at her brother, Isla was a bit more serious now, shrugging. "I have no idea why anyone wouldn't want to have you as a partner," she declared sincerely. "I mean, sure, you can be sort of moody, and picky...and obnoxious, but that's not all the time. Of course, I've never worked with you! But I bet it's because they're lazy and don't want to live up to your standards...you know, would rather dodge a call, don't want to go that extra bit."

She knew her brother would do things he wasn't required to, like getting a patient into a gown at the hospital, making sure they were cleaned up before moving them to the hospital gurney, getting them a blanket, making sure their house was locked up or the dog fed. A lot of the medics didn't care, they'd just toss the patient on the gurney and walk out, and she knew that they were easily annoyed with the good medics, like her brother.

"Well, it's good you've finally got a keeper, just don't scare her off!"

She laughed then rolled her eyes. "There is no way I'm moving back in. I love you and all, but...from a distance...you snore!"

Steven Hudson

[Steven Hudson]

Steven smiled for a moment as he shrugged, oh he could think of plenty of reasons why he was hardly the best partner material. His attitude for one, the fact people thought he had a short fuse when it was simply one bad day and family was involved which just made things a little more tense. “Woah thanks Isla, moody, picky and obnoxious... anymore in there?” He asked her pretending to be hurt by it but he was far from it. She was right after all. “Yes that’s it and no call dodging because you never know when you’ll need medic and I don’t want to be dodged.” He stated though he prayed he never did.

Knowing his luck he might be dodged and have to figure out his own way to accident and emergency. Steven enjoyed going that little extra mile, after all he always figured that if people were hurt they deserved the five star experience rather than being left to their own devices. It was much faster his way though it took time for him but when the nurses and doctors came around. At least the patient was in a state to be looked at, all pets were still alive by the time the owners came out and people were relatively happy.

“I will do my best to keep her, just need to make sure I’ve got the duck tape and handcuffs ready if she makes a run for it.” He said grinning as he sighed. “Really, no way you’re moving back in? Not even if I promise to cook every night, no dishes and I’ll even give you a ride in the ambulance to work?” He offered as if that was the best of the best as he shook his head at her snoring comment. “Oh no don’t you think for a minute that is me. It was all you, you snore like a train. Me silent sleeper.” He stated laughing a little.

Isla Hudson,

[Isla Hudson]

"Silent, huh? I think I'm going to have to ask Kelle about that!" Isla laughed, then quickly added, "And don't deny it! I know you guys sleep in the ambulance when you're posting...or pretending to do paperwork!"

It was no secret that the ambulance crews occasionally dozed when they were just sitting around... and who could really blame them? It wasn't as if they could constantly be working, in fact, it was better for everyone when they had plenty of down time, right? And it just wasn't that exciting to be sitting on a street corner.

Isla laughed. "And I bet she probably snores, too, I think it's a requirement to work on an ambulance." At least the firefighters spent a lot of their 'down time' in a station, so there were things to do, and they were often out on inspections of buildings or fire hydrants. But for the ambulance crews, when they were covering another area, there was nothing to do but sit and wait...and snooze!

"We can have a snoring contest some time, if you think you are up to the challenge?" She tossed him a teasing grin. "Only not while you're driving...and no, as much as I love you like a brother, I'm not moving back in."

Well, it was an option if somehow she lost all her job options, but she was a big girl now, and she did enjoy the independence of living alone. Besides, one day she might actually have a boyfriend, and she'd have to protect him from Big Brother.

"And you know you don't need to worry about me and my sweet little car, it gets me where I need to go, and only breaks down in the middle of the night!" She laughed.

Steven Hudson,

[Steven Hudson]

“Quiet as a mouse. In fact you’d never know I was there.” Steven said smiling sweetly as he shook his head. “Us sleep in the ambulance? Never, nope. We have beds at the fire house besides if you’ve ever tried to sleep in one, it’s not comfortable. Best place for sleeping is in the back of it.” He said though that was as much of a give away that he had slept in there more than once. It just made for easier work to grab sleep when they could and if he happened to be holding a clip board pretending to fill it all out then yeah, he could live with it.

“A gentleman never tells but yeah I swear she snores and I don’t.” Steven explained knowing his own snoring had woke him up enough times for him to realise that he did it. Then when you spent twenty four hours with someone you soon learned what they were like. Besides he was a quiet snorer or he hoped he was. Sleep was precious and yes there were shifts when sleep was hardly a given and ones where they would be lucky to be busy at all. It was mainly a case of get it while you can much like food because the minute you put it off, it was never going to happen.

“Oh I’m more than up to the challenge and believe me, it could be a close call. I remember you snoring and did consider ear plugs.” He teased with a grin. “Yes better not sleep and drive and seriously? Not even if I promise to cook every night I’m home? Please, please, please, please, please?” He asked her batting his eye lids at her as he smiled.

Yes he knew that moving back in with big brother and mum was hardly a life choice when things were going well. Still he did miss having her around though he was old enough to know that his sisters had their own lives now and despite his trying to meddle and interfere. Them moving out gave him a chance to see that they were doing great all on their own. He just guessed that he would have to go visit their places to scare any boyfriends away now rather than the front door.

Steven chuckled as he nodded to her, “Yeah Isla that’s exactly why I worry. You in the middle of the night with a broken down car.” Steven knew it was a nightmare of his because he saw from the view of a paramedic what happened if the worst happened. “So new car for you, more sleep for me besides I am always around to pick you up and you’re always welcome on the ambulance too.” He stated knowing that if either of his sisters called he would be there without hesitation.

Isla Hudson,