“Emma, Noah said earlier your vitals were likely affected by stress, so we should retake them once you have had a chance to adjust. Stay lying down and I’ll do that now, ok?”

The doctor retrieved the blood pressure cuff used earlier and started wrapping it around Emmas arm. Again she felt the pressure building as the doctor firmly held her still. “That’s a little better Emma, but still high.” the doctor declared, pulling the gown back up to cover Emmas chest.

The doctor went to retrieve something from the cabinet, Alex watched intently as she came back with a sachet and a thermometer. Emma, not knowing how to object, rolled over to uncover her back.

“Emma this is a rectal thermometer, it gets inserted for a few minutes to give a more accurate core body temperature measurement. Does that sound ok? Do you have any questions?”

“My temperature was measured in my ear before, can we not just do that again?” Emma pleaded.

“I understand it’s not a nice situation. Since your previous temperature was high, we need to check whether that was an error, as when I was palpating you didn’t feel too warm, or whether that’s a sign of infection that could be causing your pain. It’s a very normal procedure. Whenever you feel ready, remove your panties and lie face down on the table, ok?” The doctor took a step back to give Emma some space.

Alex went over beside where emma was lying down and rubbed her shoulder. “Hey, it’s ok, it’ll just be a minute. And it is nothing painful, the doctor seems super considerate.” Emma nodded along with what Alex was saying, and started to flip herself over on the table. Alex grabbed her panties and gently tugged them off, bringing them back to the pile of clothes before standing back at her side. He continued to rub her shoulder and arm, but secretly also enjoyed the view.

The doctor approached again, on the opposite side of the bed to Alex, having opened the sachet and put the tip of the thermometer into the lubricant inside.

“Good Emma, just hold still.” A gloved hand spread her cheeks and she buried her red face in her hands. “Take a deep breath and try to relax, this may feel a little cold…”

Emma squirmed as the tip was inserted, as cold as promised and much deeper than she expected. She looked over at Alex who was staring directly at her butt, she hated being on display like this. His hand rubbed her thigh trying to be reassuring while they waited, but she just hid her face again until the doctor spoke.

“I’m going go take out the thermometer now Emma… Your temperature does look normal. It doesn’t rule anything out but makes it less likely you have an infection causing the pain.”

As Dr Shaw spoke Emma sat back up, letting the gown cover as much as it could, but she could still feel some lube on her butt. The doctor moved around the room gathering things Emma couldn’t see as she asked some more questions.

“When was your last period? Are they regular? Painful?” Emma shared that her period had ended about a week ago, and that they were pretty average in every way.

“Ok Emma, I’m going to ask you to give a urine sample. I’ll have Noah bring you a sample cup and show you where the restroom is. I’ll see you back here in a few minutes.” The doctor didn’t want for Emma to reply, but quickly left the room.

“Oh my god I hate this” Emma sobbed as Alex put his arms around her. “You’re doing so well, you’re nearly done.” he assured her, of course not knowing if that was true of not. The nurse coming back in interrupted the discussion anyway.

“Hi again Emma, how are we doing? Ready to give a sample? You can just come with me, don’t worry it’s a completely private area we just need to go down the hall.” Noah had this big, kind smile, a nice tan and was probably the same age as Emma. In other circumstances they could have been friends, classmates. And here she was trying to cover herself with a gown as he walked her out.

Alex stayed in the room, waiting back in the chair by the doctors desk. Before long, the doctor came back in and started readjusting the examination table, pulling down some fresh white paper and clanking something metal.

“It’s never pleasant, coming in with this kind of complaint, but I’m sure Emma is glad to have you supporting her during it.” The doctor said while moving a lamp near the foot of the bed, which she had shortened.

“Oh, I guess. I don’t think I can do much to help.” Alex said while watching the door, waiting for Emma to come back.